The text emphasizes that the use of the law is a last resort and that much of the law is of little or no use in providing effective protection. Remedies available under the Family Law Act are explained. The protection orders available in each State and the financial compensation for victims are detailed. Each protection order is described in terms of who may apply for orders, the types available, the criteria for obtaining an order, their duration and variation, what happens if they are breached, procedures used, dates of hearings, costs, and appeals. Information is also supplied about the nature and causes of domestic violence, the advantages and disadvantages of alternative responses, and the effectiveness of different remedies. Footnotes and index.