Coercive control to be a crime in NSW and Queensland

Both NSW and Queensland are expected to criminalise coercive control by the end of 2022 following parliamentary inquiries in both states. The move aims to strengthen measures to combat domestic violence, particularly as coercive control typically precedes intimate partner homicide.

What is coercive control?

NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the government was consulting on introducing a stand-alone offence to address coercive control, as well as making necessary amendments to existing laws dealing with domestic violence and violent crime under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007.

"Coercive control is. a red flag for intimate partner homicide. The Domestic Violence Death Review Team found that intimate partner homicide in NSW is typically preceded by coercive control often without any recorded physical violence," Mr Speakman said. (Please see Government to criminalise coercive control, NSW Government Communities and Justice, 18 December