On 1st July, 2026, it will be 2 years since coercive control became a criminal offence in New South Wales.
There will also be the first of three reviews of this new law to see how it is being applied and if it has successfully been used to avert ongoing domestic violence and potential deaths through domestic violence.
Why a new law?
Reviewed statistics of deaths through domestic violence has shown that coercive behaviours were present in approximately 97% of intimate partner domestic violence homicides.
For the ease of understanding this article, the term “partner” refers to and can be interchanged to mean a spouse, husband, wife, significant other, boyfriend or girlfriend.
What is coercive control?
Would you know if you were being subjected to coercion? Many people do not realise when it is happening as it can be genuinely mistaken for care from a partner.
The NSW law defines coercive control as a “pattern of abusive behaviour intended to coerce or control a current or former intimate partner”. In basic terms, it means that if a partner tries to control you through a variety of specific different ways, then that is illegal and they are breaking the law. It means that your freedom is being restricted and that you are being unjustly and unlawfully, controlled.
The laws particularly benefit women by recognising non-physical abuse, allowing earlier interventions and increasing safety and legal protection.
It is important to understand that coercive control does not require physical violence. It focuses on behaviours over time and not a single incident. The behaviours must create fear or seriously impact your ability to love normally. It can be a current or former spouse/partner etc.. This is very important to remember.
How does coercive control present itself?
Coercive control presents itself in a number of different ways, but they all mean that you are being unfairly or unwittingly controlled or manipulated. It could be an employer, family member, house mate or a friend.
Have a look at the following examples and see if any apply to you.
The most common forms of coercive control with an explanation of how they present are:
1.Psychological and Emotional Abuse
Some examples of this are when a partner exhibits mental and emotional abuse by questioning your sanity and reasoning. By not allowing you to have a safe space to be able to speak your mind or put your opinion to your partner. Do they call you “stupid” or “dumb”? That’s psychological abuse. Do they call you “soft”, “emotional” or “weak”? That’s emotional abuse. It could be “gaslighting” – where a partner constantly changes their version of events, questions your previous responses and twists them to a point where you start to question your own sanity. It includes constant humiliation, criticism, manipulation, threats and intimidation.
2. Social Isolation
This can be a common issue for women and particularly women living in rural areas. Does your partner try to keep you away from your friends? Your family or relatives?
It shows itself by being made to move house to isolated areas, farms, properties, or areas “out of town”. This can be for several valid reasons, such as the serenity that comes with living on a property. Space. It could be for financial reasons (cheaper housing/rent) It could be because your partner can’t park his massive truck at the suburban house – there are numerous legitimate reasons. But there are some that do it to keep their partner away from neighbours, family and friends to be physically and geographically isolated.
3.Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is when your partner controls all your money/the household money and limits your access to it or restricts your earning capacity.
It is:
- Controlling access to money
- Restricting access to bank accounts
- Constant monitoring of your money
- Creating a financial dependence.
4.Digital Abuse
Where someone is accessing your personal emails, texts, phone, or tracking your movements either physically or via your vehicle without your knowledge or permission. This is illegal.
Have you checked your mobile phone t see if you have “share location” activated? Did you do that willingly?
5.Controlling your daily life
This is where your partner is controlling what you wear (clothes, hair, make-up, jewellery, etc… They may not like you being “too pretty” or be constantly telling you what you look better in. Do they keep the family to a single vehicle? Do they dissuade you from getting your driver’s license? Your own car?
Who are most at risk?
- Women (Women are the main victims of coercion)
- People with a disability
- People who identify as LGBTQIA
- Children and young adults
- Aboriginal people
- Anyone from refugee, migrant or multicultural backgrounds
- Older people / aged population
What are the penalties?
The penalties include possible incarceration up to a maximum of 7 years.
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Words by James Dawson from Maverick Changes.
Maverick Changes can be found on our local Central West Mums business directory here.
James is a professional counsellor based in Orange offering face to face and telehealth services to people in the Central West.
Phone: 0426 821 959.
Website: maverickchanges.com
Or book a counselling session here: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/james-dawson-face-to-face-at-294-anson-st-orange/location/430421
Special Note: There is some good news – there are several agencies that can help (see below).
If this article has triggered deeper emotions within you, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
Or 1300 yarn (1300 9276)
If you feel that you are victim of intimate partner coercion and feel that you cannot escape this situation, feel free to call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Or Housing Plus (Orange): 02 63 60 3300
If there is a man in your life that wants to change his behaviours – call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491
References:
Read more on coercive control via these page links here on the NSW Government website page.
What are the impacts of coercive control? Read more on NSW Government page here.
Cooercive control and the law. Read more on NSW Government page here.
The new coercive control offence: Some practical aspects Part 1. Read more on The Journal of the NSW Bar Association website here.
