Unpacking the Challenges of Coercive Control Laws

From 26 May 2025, coercive control will be a criminal offence in Queensland, carrying a maximum jail term of 14 years. When this legislation passed in March 2024, it made national headlines as a bold move against domestic abuse. Similar laws are also being introduced across various Australian states.

Coercive control refers to behaviour used to dominate and isolate someone, often in domestic settings. It can involve financial control, monitoring, or restricting social connections—creating an environment where the victim feels powerless. Unlike physical violence, these patterns of abuse often leave no visible marks, which makes them harder to prove.

Existing laws have focused on physical violence, leaving gaps for non-physical abuse. These new laws aim to close that gap by recognising coercive control as a criminal offence. By focusing on patterns of behaviour over time, they provide a way to address harm before it escalates into violence.

The move is promising, but it raises questions about how people understand the nature of coercive control and how the laws will be applied. I recently experienced this uncertainty firsthand when I asked someone to respect a personal boundary and was accused of coercive control. The incident highlighted the subjective nature of such situations and the potential challenges in implementing the new legislation.

What Coercive Control Means

Coercive control can take many forms, from financial abuse to controlling someone’s movements or relationships. It wears people down over time, eroding their sense of autonomy and wellbeing.

The legislation tackles these behaviours by documenting patterns rather than isolated incidents. This shift allows police and courts to recognise psychological abuse that was previously hard to address. The goal is to prioritise victim safety and intervene earlier.

But defining and proving coercive control can be complex. These behaviours don’t fit neatly into checkboxes, and perceptions of control often vary depending on the context.

A Personal Perspective

When I was accused of coercive control for setting a personal boundary, it was a wake-up call. I saw my request as a way to maintain healthy communication. The other person saw it as manipulation. This showed me how easily intent can be misread.

The experience made me wonder how these laws will handle subjective situations. Will they capture genuine abuse, or could they be misused in personal disputes? For example, a reasonable request for space might be framed as isolating behaviour. Without clear definitions, the risk of misinterpretation looms large.

This is why public education is critical. People need to understand the difference between healthy boundaries and controlling behaviour. Education can help prevent misuse of the laws and foster better relationships.

The Potential of These Laws

Criminalising coercive control is a significant step in addressing domestic abuse. It recognises patterns of psychological harm as serious and provides victims with a pathway to justice before the situation turns violent.

The laws also empower police to investigate non-physical forms of abuse, such as financial control, which were previously hard to address. They send a message that controlling behaviour in relationships isn’t acceptable, challenging harmful norms in society.

The Challenges Ahead

The laws come with challenges. Proving coercive control in court requires evidence of patterns, which isn’t always easy to collect. Victims may struggle to document subtle behaviours, and courts will need to navigate subjective interpretations.

There’s also the risk of misuse. False accusations or misunderstandings could lead to unfair outcomes, especially in contentious situations like divorce. Personal disputes could be escalated unnecessarily, stretching police and court resources.

To mitigate these risks, clear guidelines and public education are essential. Police and legal professionals need training to identify coercive control effectively. Community awareness campaigns can help people recognise abuse without conflating it with everyday relationship conflicts.

What’s Being Done

Some measures are already in place to support these laws:

• Training for law enforcement: Police and legal professionals are being trained to identify and address coercive control. aic.gov.au

• Education campaigns: New South Wales launched a campaign to raise awareness in culturally diverse communities. Department of Communities and Justice

• Community outreach: The Law Council of Australia supports ongoing education to challenge stereotypes and improve understanding. lawcouncil.au

Final Thoughts

Coercive control laws are a step in the right direction, but their success depends on clarity, education, and proper enforcement. My experience of being accused of coercive control taught me how important context is. These laws must account for that complexity to avoid harm.

Governments need to prioritise public education and refine definitions so the laws protect victims without creating unintended consequences. With the right safeguards, these laws can help tackle domestic abuse without over-policing personal relationships.

For details about Queensland’s coercive control laws, visit: Coercive control laws | Need to know | Queensland Government

If you need support:

• 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732
• Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
• Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
• Lifeline: 13 11 14

Jocelyn Watts is a writer, photographer, and indie publisher based on Queensland’s Fraser Coast. She shares stories of lifestyle, travel, and nature at Jocelyn Magazine.

Published 14 March 2025