If you need urgent assistance or your safety is at immediate risk call the Police on 000

If you require information about available domestic violence services or emergency accommodation please call the Domestic Violence Crisis Service: at www.dvcs.org.au or on their 24hrs crisis line 02 6280 0900

On 1 July 2025, the minimum age of criminal responsibility will increase from 12 years old to 14. This means that children under 14 years will not be criminally responsible for harmful behaviour except in limited circumstances. As of 1 July 2025 a person under the age of 14 cannot be a respondent to an application for a protection order.

In some circumstances the Court holds limited details of parties in protection order proceedings. This may impact the Court’s ability to directly communicate with parties that are affected by the legislative change. The ACT Magistrates Court Family and Personal Violence Protection Unit can be contacted via telephone on (02) 6205 4939 or by email: protection@courts.act.gov.au.

Further information about the legislative change can be found here: Raising the age of criminal responsibility - ACT Government