Coercive Control: A Silent Form of Abuse
Women's Resilience Centre
National recovery programs for women and families impacted by domestic abuse and trauma to reset and rebuild lives.
In October 2022, NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman introduced a groundbreaking Bill to create a standalone offence for coercive control. This significant legislative move aimed to criminalise a form of domestic abuse that often goes unnoticed but can have devastating consequences. As of July 1, 2024, coercive control is now a criminal offence in New South Wales, marking a critical step forward in protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
Understanding Coercive Control
Coercive control is an insidious form of abuse that many victims struggle to identify. Unlike physical violence, which can leave visible scars, coercive control is often silent and pervasive, manifesting through a pattern of behaviours that collectively exert dominance over another person.
A Pattern of Behavior
Coercive control is not a single act but an ongoing and repeated pattern of behaviour designed to control or dominate another person. These behaviours might seem minor in isolation, but when repeated, they can cause significant harm. It can involve physical and non-physical actions, such as intimidation, humiliation, isolation, harassment, and monitoring.
Varied Manifestations
While coercive control can include physical violence and sexual abuse, it doesn't necessarily involve either. Instead, it can manifest through emotional abuse, financial control, threats, social isolation, and other forms of manipulation that infringe on a person's freedom and autonomy.
Unique Experiences
Each victim's experience of coercive control is unique. Abusers often tailor their tactics to the specific vulnerabilities of their victim, employing a combination of abusive behaviours that can evolve or change as the victim's circumstances change.
Diverse Relationships
Coercive control can occur in various types of relationships. It can happen in casual dating scenarios, serious relationships, or even after a relationship has ended. The abuser could be a family member, a co-resident, or someone who provides care. In NSW, it is a criminal offence when these behaviours are directed towards a current or former intimate partner.
Deliberate Acts
Coercive control is not accidental. Abusers use these behaviours intentionally to isolate, manipulate, threaten, and scare their victims, exerting control over them. Each act of abuse is a conscious choice by the abuser, making them fully responsible for the harm they cause.
Types of Coercive Control
- Emotional Abuse: Shaming, degrading, or humiliating the victim.
- Violence and Intimidation: Using physical force or threats to instil fear.
- Making Threats: Threatening harm to the victim or their loved ones.
- Social Isolation: Limiting the victim's interactions with friends and family.
- Limiting Freedom: Controlling the victim's daily activities and choices.
- Financial Abuse: Restricting access to money and resources.
- Harassment and Stalking: Monitoring and tracking the victim's movements.
- Cultural and Spiritual Abuse: Manipulating cultural or religious beliefs to control the victim.
- Sexual Abuse: Forcing or coercing sexual activity.
- Reproductive Abuse: Controlling reproductive choices and health.
- Child Abuse: Involving children in the abusive behaviour.
- Systems Abuse: Misusing systems and institutions to control the victim.
- Animal Abuse: Harming pets to intimidate the victim.
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Impact of Coercive Control
From July 1, 2024, coercive control in NSW is a criminal offence when abusive behaviours are used with the intent to coerce or control a current or former intimate partner. This legislation addresses repeated patterns of physical and non-physical abuse that aim to intimidate, threaten, or control someone. Importantly, the law only applies to behaviours occurring after this date.
Coercive control can have profound and lasting effects on victims, impacting their mental and physical health, relationships, employment, and financial security. The abuse can erode a person's sense of safety, independence, and self-esteem, leaving them feeling trapped, powerless, and isolated.
"It's Not Love, It's Coercive Control" Campaign
To raise public awareness about coercive control, the NSW Government has launched an advertising campaign with the tagline, "It’s not love, it’s coercive control."?
Coercive control can take many forms, including financial abuse, threats against pets or loved ones, tracking movements, and isolating victims from their support networks. NSW Police officers have received specialised training to recognise and respond to coercive control, ensuring they can support victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
By understanding and recognising the signs of coercive control, society can better support victims and work towards eradicating this hidden form of abuse. For more information Visit the NSW Government’s resource page.
Are you experiencing coercive control?
Contact 1800RESPECT by calling 1800 737 732 or texting 0458 737 732
Are you worried about your behaviour?
Contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 to speak to a trained professional. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are speech or hearing impaired, call the National Relay Service on 13 36 77 and ask them to connect you to the service you want to speak to.
If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask them to direct you to the service you would like to speak to.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero 000.
Source: NSW Government