Government to Criminalise Coercive Control

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Media Release

Bronnie Taylor

Mark Speakman

Natalie Ward

18 December 2021

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The NSW Government has committed to outlawing coercive control in current and former intermate partner relationships as part of the response to recommendations from the Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control.

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Attorney-General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Mark Speakman said NSW Parliament moved to establish the committee just over a year ago to explore whether to criminalise this conduct in NSW.

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At the same time, the NSW Government published a comprehensive Discussion Paper to guide the work of the committee and inform submissions to the inquiry.

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The Government is committed to building on the Inquiry's work by developing and consulting extensively on the drafting of this new law.

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"No person deserves to live in fear, and it is part of our responsibilities in Government to uphold the safety and human dignity of all of our citizens," Mr Speakman said.

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"That's why we're supporting, or supporting in principle 17 of the Committee's 23 unanimous recommendations. This includes stand-alone offence to address coercive control, as well as possible amendments to other existing laws".

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Six recommendations have been noted as further consideration continues.

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"Coercive control is also a red flag for intimate partner homicide. The Domestic Violence Death Review Team led by the Coroner found that intimate partner homicide in NSW is typically preceded by coercive control often without any recorded physical violence," Mr Speakman Said.

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Click here to read the Media Release in full.