In Conversations About Family Violence – You Do Not Have To Put Up With It!

In this confronting episode of You Do Not Have to Put Up With It, Ms Carmella from DFV Lawyers speaks with “Gary,” a former client who shares his experience as a male survivor of family violence. Gary describes how conflict in his relationship escalated into intimidation, objects being thrown, fear, emotional distress and a growing sense that he could not safely remain in his own home. He also spe...

In this powerful episode of You Do Not Have to Put Up With It, Miss Carmella from DFVLawyers speaks with “Rebecca,” a family violence survivor who shares her lived experience of coercive control, emotional abuse, financial dependence, isolation and rebuilding life after separation. Rebecca describes how she went from being independent, confident and professionally capable to feeling isolated, anxi...

In this powerful opening episode of Series Two of You Do Not Have to Put Up With It, Ms Carmella Acciarito from DFVLawyers speaks with “Maggie,” a former client and family violence survivor, about the hidden realities of coercive control, emotional abuse, isolation, manipulation and the long road to recovery. Maggie shares how a relationship that appeared supportive at first gradually eroded her i...

In this episode of In Conversations About Family Violence: You Do Not Have to Put Up With It, Miss Carmella, Founder and Director of DFV Lawyers, introduces a special podcast series focused on four forthcoming book publications addressing domestic and family violence from legal, educational, practitioner and community perspectives. The episode outlines four connected works: a comprehensive guide f...

In this episode, Miss Carmella, Founder, Director and Principal Family Violence and Criminal Lawyer of DfE Lawyers, introduces the next series of vital conversations about domestic and family violence in Victoria. This series focuses on coercive control, intimidation, and the hidden forms of violence experienced by men, women and non-binary people from diverse cultural and religious communities in...

In this concluding episode of the six-part podcast series In Conversations About Family Violence, Miss Carmella, Founder, Director and Principal Family Violence and Criminal Lawyer of DFV Lawyers, reflects on the purpose and impact of this landmark series. Created as an accessible, evidence-based and trauma-informed resource, the series explores the escalating crisis of domestic and family violenc...

From Family Violence Intervention Orders to support services and everything in between, in this, the final part of our six-part series on domestic and family violence, we provide a clear, simple guide on what happens after Victoria Police attend a family violence incident, and how they continue to support your safety. For more information, visit https://domesticfamilyviolencelawyers.au

In this, the fifth part of our series on domestic and family violence, we look at real-world tips for responding to family violence in Victoria. We cover: Safety priorities Warnings signs Support options Legal protections The importance of having a plan and much, much more. For more information, visit https://domesticfamilyviolencelawyers.au

In this, the second part of our two-part special on Understanding Family Violence in Victoria – The Legislation and the Courts, we continue our discussion around : 1. Expanded Definition of Family Violence 2. Tackling Misidentification of Victim‑Survivors 3. Stronger Requirements for Police and Courts 4. Minimum Age for Respondents to FVIOs 5. Preventing Young People From “Ageing Out” of Protectio...

Family violence in Victoria is governed by one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks in Australia. The law has evolved significantly over the past four decades, moving from a narrow understanding of “domestic disputes” to a modern, evidence‑based recognition of patterns of coercive control, psychological abuse, and systemic harm. In this episode, we explore a clear timeline and explanation of...

Is Domestic and Family Violence Something New in Australia? No. Domestic and family violence is not new — it is centuries old. Its origins can be traced through English common law, European social norms, and early colonial practices that shaped gender relations in Australia long before modern legal reforms. In this episode, we look at: Family Violence Before Colonisation: English Law and the “Righ...

Australia has seen a significant rise in people charged with family and domestic violence offences. Police recorded 97,800 offenders in the 2024–25 financial year, an 8% increase from the previous year — the largest rise since national reporting began. This equates to 403 offenders per 100,000 people, the highest rate ever recorded. Around 78% of offenders are men, with most aged between 30 and 39...

In this, the first episode of our six-part series, we take a deep dive into DFV Lawyers, who they are, what they do, and how they can help. If you are suffering from family or domestic violence issues, this is the first step towards a brighter future.

DFV Lawyers is proud to launch “In Conversations About Family Violence – You Do Not Have To Put Up With It,” a six-part podcast series hosted by Ms Carmella Acciarito, Founder and Principal Domestic & Family Violence Lawyer. You deserve safety, respect, and peace. That’s the heart of our new podcast series, In Conversations About Family Violence – You Do Not Have To Put Up With It, hosted by M...