ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Self-defence (Australia)

Self-defence in Australia means that if someone is attacking you, you have the right to protect yourself. Just like how some people have superheroes they like, like Spiderman or Batman, the law in Australia says you can be a superhero for yourself.

However, it's not just about hitting the person who is attacking you as hard as you can. There are rules that need to be followed to make sure that you are only using self-defence when you really need to.

Firstly, self-defence must only be used as a last resort. This means that you should try to avoid the situation or get away from the person who is attacking you if possible. If you can run away or find a safe place to hide, this is always the best option.

If you can't get away though, you may need to use self-defence. However, you should only use as much force as is necessary to protect yourself. This means that if someone is only trying to push you, you can use your body position and movements to avoid getting pushed over. But if someone is trying to hurt you more seriously, you might have to hit them to stop them.

Another important thing to remember is that self-defence should not be used to get revenge or to hurt someone who has already stopped attacking you. Once you are no longer in danger, you should stop defending yourself.

If someone is attacking you, it's always best to try and find help from someone around you, like a police officer or security guard if possible. They can help keep you safe and make sure that the person who was attacking you doesn't hurt anyone else.

In summary, self-defence in Australia means that you can protect yourself if someone is attacking you, but only if you have no other options and are using the least amount of force necessary.