Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Family Violence Protection Act 2008 - SECT 73

Expert evidence about family violence

73. Expert evidence about family violence



(1) The court may admit evidence from an expert witness about the dynamics and
characteristics of family violence.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the evidence given by an expert witness
may include evidence of-

   (a)  the general nature and dynamics of relationships affected by family
        violence, including the possible consequences of separation from the
        person committing the family violence; and

   (b)  the psychological effect of violence on persons who are or have been
        in a relationship or part of a family affected by family violence; and

   (c)  social, cultural or economic factors that impact on persons who are or
        have been in a relationship affected by family violence.

(3) In this section-

expert witness means a witness with relevant qualifications, training or
expertise in family violence.

Division 4-Making final orders