# Preamble to the Act The [preamble to the Act](http://www6.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/vic/consol_act/fvpa2008283/preamble.html) itself is perhaps the best place to understand the context of Act, and therefore, assist in understanding the sections as they are written. > In enacting this Act, the Parliament recognises the following principles- > 1. that **non-violence** is a fundamental social value that must be promoted; > 2. that **family violence** is a fundamental **violation of human rights** and is unacceptable in any form; > 3. that family violence is **not acceptable** in any community or culture; > 4. that, in responding to family violence and promoting the safety of persons who have experienced family violence, the justice system should **treat the views of family violence with respect**. > In enacting this Act, the Parliament also recognises the following features of family violence- > 1. that while anyone can be a victim or perpetrator of family violence, family violence is **predominantly committed by men against women**, children or other vulnerable persons; > 2. that **children** who are **exposed** to the effects of family violence are particularly vulnerable and exposure to family violence may have a **serious impact** on children's current and future physical, psychological and emotional well being; > 3. that family violence- > 1. affects the entire community; and > 2. occurs in all areas of society, regardless of location, socioeconomic and health status, age, culture, gender, sexual identity, ability, ethnicity or religion; > 3. that family violence **extends beyond physical** and **sexual violence** and may involve emotional or psychological abuse and economic abuse; > 4. that family violence may involve overt or subtle exploitation of power imbalances and may consist of isolated incidents or patterns of abuse over a period of time. # Section 1 - Purpose As defined in [Section 1 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008](http://www6.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/vic/consol_act/fvpa2008283/s1.html): > The purpose of this Act is to- > 1. maximise **safety** for **children** and **adults** who have experienced family violence; and > 2. **prevent** and **reduce** **family violence** to the greatest extent possible; and > 3. promote the **accountability of perpetrators** of family violence for their actions. # Section 2 - How purpose is to be achieved [Section 2 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008](http://www6.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/vic/consol_act/fvpa2008283/s2.html) explained further: >**How this purpose is to be achieved** >This Act aims to achieve its purpose by- >1. providing an effective and **accessible system** of family violence intervention orders and family violence safety notices; and >2. providing for the **sharing of information** that is relevant to assessing and managing a risk of family violence; and >3. creating **offences for contraventions** of family violence intervention orders and family violence safety notices; and >4. providing a framework for achieving **consistency** in family violence **risk assessment** and family violence **risk management**.