Coercive control laws a major break through in domestic and family violence future
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Monday 26 May 2025 was a memorable one for so many people in their fight for greater awareness and understanding when it comes to the very real issue of coercive control.
This day saw Queensland’s coercive control laws come into force.
Domestic violence perpetrators in Queensland who repeatedly use violence or abuse to control others in relationships can now be charged with the new offence of coercive control.
The new criminal offence applies to acts of violence or abuse forming a course of conduct committed from 26 May and carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said it was timely that committing coercive control became a crime in Queensland during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.
“The credit for these reforms is owed to the courageous families of domestic violence victims, who spoke out and called for change, despite their personal pain,” the Attorney-General said.
“The coercive control laws commencing today were legislated with bipartisan support and will help us bring perpetrators to account.
“We are determined to improve the lives of Queensland women and children who, all too frequently and tragically, experience harm at the hands of others.”
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said the new coercive control laws would see a shift in focus from responding to single incidents of violence to the patterns of abusive behaviours that occur over time.
“Coercive control is almost always an underpinning dynamic of domestic and family violence,” Minister Camm said.
“It can include physical and non-physical forms of abuse and creates a climate of fear, humiliation, isolation, that over time, erodes the victim’s sense of identity, freedom and independence.
“Hannah Clarke’s parents Sue and Lloyd were standing beside me only a month ago as I reaffirmed this Government’s commitment to major domestic and family violence reforms so we can protect victims sooner.
Content retrieved from: https://bundabergtoday.com.au/the-road-to-respect/2025/06/03/coercive-control-laws-a-major-break-through-in-domestic-and-family-violence-future/.
