From July 2024, coercive control will be a criminal offence in New South Wales.
Though, what is coercive control?
Coercive control refers to abuse that is aimed at scaring, intimidating, or hurting an intimate partner to control them. Recognising coercive control may be difficult, though it often takes the form of gaslighting, restricting or controlling access to finances, dictating what a person can wear or who they are able to engage with, or socially isolating a partner to restrict their freedoms.
On the 1st of March, for International Women’s Day, the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter held an event at the lovely Roseville Golf Club. During the event, journalist and television presenter Georgie Gardner interviewed Simone O’Brien, survivor of domestic violence.
Simone’s confronting story revealed that long before her ex-partner committed violent abuse, there were warning signs that are now recognised as acts of coercive control. Her abuser attempted to cut Simone off from friendships, money would go missing from her home, and he would grow overly affectionate when Simone decided she needed space.
Though those who commit acts of coercive control may not be immediately physically abusive, ensuring there is no escalation to violence is vital.
The NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team reported in a 2017-2019 study that of the intimate partner and family homicides that occurred, not all contained physical abusive behaviours. Though, evidence of controlling behaviour was found, leading the DVDRT to note the complex nature of these abuse cases.
In March of 2020, then NSW Attorney General, now Leader of the NSW Opposition, Mark Speakman, indicated to the NSW Parliament that controlling behaviour should be addressed and laws should be discussed.
Coercive control laws are being put into motion after the NSW Parliament passed the Crimes Legislation Amendment Act in November of 2022.
For information about who to contact to get help if you’re experiencing coercive control, are inflicting coercive control on a partner, or know someone else that may need assistance, visit www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/coercive-control/get-help
