Scenario 6: Someone is making you feel uncomfortable or is harming you and won’t stop

A Personal Safety Intervention Order stops someone who is not a family member or intimate partner from physically or mentally harming you, or damaging your property.

This could be someone you live with, go to school with or work with, or even someone you don't know very well.

If you're in a risky situation right now, call 000.

If you are worried someone might try to hurt you, you should call your local Police Station.

To find out more about personal safety, you can get online information at Victoria Legal Aid.

You can also call Victoria Legal Aid (1300 792 387) or a Community Legal Centre for free, confidential advice on what to do. You can ask them to organise an interpreter for you.

Learn more about issues like this

Learn more about the people and places that can help

Free Legal Help

Lawyers are here to help you. They can give you clear directions about what to do next based on what you want, and they can do things for you like talk to other people, speak in court and draft documents. If you speak to a lawyer, they cannot tell anyone what you have said – including migration authorities, police and family. What you tell them won’t affect your visa, work or education.

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)

If you have a legal problem, you can read free legal information on the VLA website. They can also give you free and confidential legal advice on the phone in your language and sometimes give you ongoing help with your situation.

Community Legal Centres (CLCs)

Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are independent community organisations that provide free and confidential legal services to the public. They help people who are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford a private lawyer.

They can provide free legal information, advice and in some cases ongoing assistance to you as an international student.

Other Services

Some services can provide you with support or information. This might include general information about your options. They are a good place to start when you are having trouble and want to find out more about what you can do.

Victoria Police

If you or someone around you is unsafe, if there is a serious emergency, or if someone has committed a crime, you can contact the police for help.

More problem scenarios and how to get help