White Ribbon Day: A Step Toward Greater Protection for Victims of Family Violence
24 Nov 2025
25 November marks White Ribbon Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and ending male violence against women. This year, the significance of the day is further underscored by welcome changes to the Family Court in the way of new legislation. The Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025 will come into full effect by 17 February 2026. These changes are a significant step in the right direction, providing much-needed changes to our legislation against litigant abuse.
The Family Court is designed for cases where parties are unable to reach an agreement on their own and require the intervention of a Family Court Judge to resolve their disputes. Every person’s experience is unique and no two journeys through the court are the same.
The purpose of the Family Court is to resolve matters as fairly, simply, and speedily as is consistent with justice. However, for some, proceedings provide an opportunity to annoy, harass, or inflict psychological abuse.
An application to the Family Court can provide interim relief to parties but initial applications are only the start of proceedings. Rarely will an initial application be the end of the Family Court’s involvement. What follows can be months of conferences, hearings and further evidence. Improper use of the Family Court system can provide an opportunity for a party to control, harass and contact their victim rather than resolving legitimate disputes.
What’s Changing?
By 17 February 2026, the Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025 will be fully implemented and provide a change to our Family Courts Act. The Act grants the court the authority, where it is satisfied – after considering all relevant circumstances – that a party who has engaged in litigant abuse, be required to seek leave before taking any further steps in the proceedings. This ensures that abusive conduct does not prolong or escalate the legal process, protecting victims from further harm.
The changes aim to strengthen the courts’ ability to identify litigation abuse by considering conduct both inside and outside the court room.
What is Litigant Abuse
Litigant abuse is defined as abuse of another party to the proceedings, and:
- includes conduct that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm that other party, or that amounts to psychological abuse; and
- may include a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, appear to be minor or trivial)
Our team at Martelli McKegg are experienced in all aspects of family disputes including family violence. Contact our Relationship & Family Law Team for confidential expert advice and guidance.
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