COERCIVE CONTROL IS NOW A CRIME
As of 1 July 2024, a new law has come into effect across NSW and it is linked to domestic violence. It is commonly known as coercive control.
Coercive control comes in many shapes and forms but in essence it is a pattern of behaviour, within intimate and family relationships, that makes another person feel afraid, monitored, controlled or makes them feel that they have lost their freedom and independence.
Coercive control can sometimes be hard to spot and it can be subtle.
Just one example of coercive control might be the act of controlling who a partner can see, who they associate with, how long they spend in any one place, what they wear or who they communicate with. This can include monitoring and tracking where a person goes using digital and IT devices.
Coercive control might also be the action of controlling another person’s access to finances, medications, food or exercise. In some instances it will be the act of isolating a person from all branches of society and perhaps even locking them into the home, while the perpetrator is out.
Coercive control can also be the act of constantly criticising a partner, putting them down and making them feel guilty, which in turns make them doubt themselves and eats away at their self-confidence. And it can also include making threats to the person, or threats about someone or something that they love (e.g. a pet).
An incredibly high number of women that are murdered by their partner have often been exposed to coercive control in the lead up to their death.
If you, or someone that you love, is living under conditions that you think might be coercive control you can get more information by calling 1800RESPECT or by visiting 1800RESPECT.org.au. Or just type “coercive control” into your online search engine and link through to some of the short animations that describe and explain coercive control in more detail.