Glossary: law and safety

The yarn

• Rule of Law — all people, including citizens and the government, are bound by the law.
• Court — a place where legal cases are heard by a judge or magistrate.
• Criminal trial — a hearing of facts by a court to decide if a person is guilty or not guilty of a crime.
• Magistrate — a judge of a lower court.
• Enforce the law — to make sure that people follow the law.
• Drug trafficking — carrying or buying drugs to sell illegally.
• Cyber abuse — behaviour that uses technology to threaten, intimidate, harass or humiliate someone with the intent to hurt them.
• Domestic and family violence — behaviour or threats that aim to control a partner by causing fear or threatening their safety.
• Forced marriage — a marriage where one or both of the couple did not have a free choice.
• Racism — prejudice, discrimination, harassment or hatred directed at someone because of their race, colour, national or ethnic origin.
• Civil unrest — demonstrations and riots by large numbers of people, usually protesting against a government decision or policy.