NSW parliament makes coercive control a criminal offence, passes lower house vote
2 years, 1 month ago

NSW parliament makes coercive control a criminal offence, passes lower house vote

ABC  

New South Wales will be the first Australian jurisdiction to criminalise coercive control despite opposition from domestic violence groups about the way the offence is defined. Key points: The bill makes coercive control a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment England and Wales passed similar laws in 2015 The offence will not be enforced until 2024 The state government's legislation passed parliament on Wednesday, which means coercive control will become a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. Last year NSW's domestic violence review team found that 99 per cent — 111 out of 112 — intimate partner homicides between 2008 and 2016 in NSW were preceded by coercive control. Domestic Violence NSW CEO Renata Field said the threshold would be too high to meet in many cases and give women a false sense of confidence their perpetrator could be prosecuted.

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History of this topic

NSW Police investigating more than 80 cases of coercive control, with senior officers tasked to enforce new domestic violence laws
2 months, 2 weeks ago

NSW Police investigating more than 80 cases of coercive control, with senior officers tasked to enforce new domestic violence laws

ABC  

Police are investigating more than 80 cases of coercive control in the three months since it became a criminal offence in NSW with Commissioner Karen Webb revealing senior officers have been tasked with enforcing the new laws. Commissioner Webb said domestic violence had been one of her "main priorities" from the day she took office in 2022. Commissioner Webb responded …

Coercive control ad campaign launched NSW government criticised for doing too little as services plead for more funding
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Coercive control ad campaign launched NSW government criticised for doing too little as services plead for more funding

ABC  

In short: The NSW Government has rolled out an ad campaign about coercive control. As the domestic violence crisis casts its grim shadow over the political debate in New South Wales, the Minns government will today launch an advertising campaign aimed at raising public awareness about coercive control. "The purpose of the invitation was to certainly acknowledge the work done …

Coercive control the most sinister form of abuse, but it's still not a standalone offence in most states
1 year ago

Coercive control the most sinister form of abuse, but it's still not a standalone offence in most states

ABC  

Joanna* knows what it's like to be subjected to coercive control, a sinister form of abuse which combines threats, violence, and financial control to frighten someone and restrict their movements. Key points: Coercive control is considered a particularly sinister form of abuse It creates fear and often restricts the victim's liberties Women with disabilities are viewed as being at increased …

NSW government rushes to pass coercive control bill despite opposition from domestic violence advocates
2 years, 2 months ago

NSW government rushes to pass coercive control bill despite opposition from domestic violence advocates

ABC  

The NSW government says it is matter of life and death that coercive control is criminalised this year and it doesn't want concerns from domestic violence advocates to cause delays. Key points: The coercive control bill was introduced to the lower house today Some domestic violence groups fear the bill could be dangerous if passed in its current state Labor …

Victim survivors fear NSW coercive control legislation could be used against them
2 years, 4 months ago

Victim survivors fear NSW coercive control legislation could be used against them

ABC  

Standing in front of a magistrate, Nina was doing the unimaginable — defending herself against charges she believed should have been laid at her husband's feet. Family and domestic violence support services: If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 …

NSW government releases draft coercive control bill, proposes seven-year jail term
2 years, 5 months ago

NSW government releases draft coercive control bill, proposes seven-year jail term

ABC  

A draft bill released by the NSW Attorney-General would see people convicted of coercive control in intimate partner relationships jailed for up to seven years. Key points: The NSW government plans to outlaw coercive control It comes after a parliamentary inquiry found current laws were not adequate Some stakeholders have raised concerns over a short consultation period It comes after …

Millions in UK do not know the meaning of coercive control
2 years, 5 months ago

Millions in UK do not know the meaning of coercive control

The Independent  

Millions in the UK have no understanding of the meaning of coercive control despite the fact the offence is illegal, according to a new study. A report, carried out by a domestic abuse charity called Hestia, discovered four in 10 adults in the UK say their perception of coercive control is either weak or totally non-existent. Recommended How NHS is …

Coercive control should be criminalised in NSW, parliamentary committee finds
3 years, 5 months ago

Coercive control should be criminalised in NSW, parliamentary committee finds

ABC  

Coercive control should be criminalised in NSW amid a "pandemic of domestic abuse" that cannot be ignored, a parliamentary committee has found. Key points: The committee found coercive control is a "red flag" for preventable murders of Australian women and children It advised a multi-agency taskforce be set-up to oversee implentation of the updated laws The committee also recommended an …

Queensland domestic violence cases still rising sharply, expert warns coercive control law will be no quick fix
3 years, 7 months ago

Queensland domestic violence cases still rising sharply, expert warns coercive control law will be no quick fix

ABC  

Reports of domestic violence are still rising sharply across Queensland, with the latest figures revealing police responding on average to more than 400 cases a day. Key points: Queensland police responded to 113,779 DV cases from July to the end of March Researcher Heather Nancarrow says coercive control laws are no fix-all She says some perpetrators could be intensifying efforts …

Coercive control underpins most domestic violence deaths but making it illegal is complicated
3 years, 9 months ago

Coercive control underpins most domestic violence deaths but making it illegal is complicated

ABC  

It's almost always a factor when someone kills their partner but coercive control isn't widely understood. "Coercive control is not defined by incidents, it's not even really defined as a form of abuse, it is a pattern of entrapment," she told the inquiry. Over three days this week, women's organisations, domestic violence workers and advocates, police, prosecutors and academics gave …

Coercive control inquiry hears harrowing accounts of shame, humiliation and abuse
3 years, 10 months ago

Coercive control inquiry hears harrowing accounts of shame, humiliation and abuse

ABC  

Of the 100-plus submissions put forward to the NSW Parliament's Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control, it is the personal stories that are most harrowing. Key points: The three-day inquiry will explore the introduction of new coercive control legislation in NSW Behaviours can range from controlling money and withholding children, to physical violence and murder England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland …

New domestic violence laws may criminalise coercive control in the Northern Territory
3 years, 10 months ago

New domestic violence laws may criminalise coercive control in the Northern Territory

ABC  

The Northern Territory Government could soon criminalise coercive control abuse, as domestic violence rates climb across the Territory. Key points: New laws are being considered as part of a domestic violence review The NT has the highest rate of domestic violence-related offences in the nation The Criminal Lawyers Association says current laws are enough, and the focus should be on …

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