The Victorian government has announced a significant overhaul of its family violence intervention orders and stalking laws.

The reforms include a presumption of a new minimum length for family violence intervention orders (FVIOs). 

Currently, these orders typically last between six and twelve months, requiring victims to return to court to extend them. 

The new measures will shift the focus onto offenders, reducing the burden on victims to continually prove their lack of safety.

Additionally, the government will collaborate with Victoria Police and the courts to grant police the authority to issue longer family violence safety notices. 

This is part of the state's broader effort to implement all recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

“One in three women over the age of 15 have experienced physical violence,” says Premier Jacinta Allan.

“Women and girls deserve to be safe. We all, as women and girls, deserve to be safe in our community.”

Stalking laws will also be updated following a report from the Victorian Law Reform Commission, with the government planning to introduce legislation to Parliament in 2025.

The government is also expanding its Modelling Respect and Equality (MoRE) program in schools, aiming to counter the influence of toxic masculinity. 

Currently being trialled in 100 schools, the program will extend to 240 more, promoting a culture of healthy masculinity. 

Additionally, schools will receive more resources to educate children on safely navigating online environments and addressing issues like toxic masculinity, hate speech, pornography, and coercive control.

Among the new measures is the Justice Navigator pilot program, designed to assist victims of sexual violence in navigating the justice system. 

While details of the program are yet to be fully disclosed, it is intended to support survivors through recovery and justice processes.