draft bill to outlaw coercive control in intimate partner relationships NSW

The NSW Government's "Have Your Say" website allows for the submission of comments on the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill 2022. The consultation will end on August 31, 2022.

As part of its ongoing response to the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control, the NSW Government is conducting public consultations on a draught bill that would make it illegal to use coercion in relationships with intimate partners.

Repeatedly abusing a current or previous intimate partner will now be a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison, according to the new law.

Prior to releasing an exposure document for wider input, the NSW Government distributed an earlier draught to select legal parties and NSW Police to identify and address any technical legal issues. In the spring of 2022, the final measure is anticipated to be introduced in the legislature.

Domestic abuse that involves coercive control involves behaviour patterns that together deprive victims and survivors of their autonomy and independence. Physical, sexual, psychological, and financial abuse are all examples of this type of abuse.

An important "red flag" for intimate relationship homicide is coercive control. The Domestic Violence Death Review Team noted that the relationship was marked by the abuser's use of coercive and controlling behaviours towards the victim in 111 of the 112 (99%) intimate partner domestic violence homicides that occurred in NSW between 10 March 2008 and 30 June 2016 that it reviewed.