Measures Passed to Stop Coercive Control

The NSW community will be made safer this week as coercive control reforms pass Parliament.

Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse that involves patterns of behaviour that have the cumulative effect of denying victim-survivors their autonomy and independence. The new law will make it an offence to carry out repeated abusive behaviours to a current or former intimate partner with the intent to coerce or control, and will carry a sentence of up to seven years in jail.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said NSW continued to lead the nation in addressing women’s safety and domestic and family violence issues.

“We made a commitment to deliver these landmark reforms to protect our people from this insidious form of domestic violence, and this week we have delivered on that commitment by criminalising coercive control in intimate partner relationships,” Mr Perrottet said.

“There is no doubt that these reforms, which are the first of their kind in this country, will help save lives and deter an abusive and controlling pattern of behaviour that is unacceptable.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Government stands shoulder to shoulder with victim-survivors and their families, and the families of those whose lives have been tragically taken, in condemning this insidious abuse.

“The NSW Government has acted to ensure the lives of women, children and all members of our community will be made safer,” Mrs Taylor said.

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• Health & Wellbeing
• Mental Health & Wellbeing