The NSW Government today announced landmark laws to criminalise coercive control, which could result in seven years’ jail time for people convicted of this behaviour.

Full Stop Australia is hopeful that this legislation and reform package will serve as a blueprint for other Australian states and territories.

Full Stop Australia CEO, Hayley Foster, welcomed the announcement by the NSW Government and called on other states and territories across Australia to follow suit.

“This is a landmark decision. It is a win for a diverse range of survivors and frontline workers from right across the state,” Ms Foster said.

“Finally, the law will catch up to our current understanding of domestic and family violence.

“We know that the Domestic Violence Death Review by the NSW Coroner’s Court found that 99% of domestic homicides are preceded by coercive control. It is the single biggest correlating factor.”

“As a result of these reforms women and children in particular will be much safer.”

“This reform will also send a clear message that abusive behaviours will not be tolerated.”

Director of Counselling Services at Full Stop Australia, Tara Hunter, who manages the national violence and abuse trauma counselling helpline, 1800 FULL STOP, praised the NSW Government on this reform.

“This legislation will serve as an acknowledgement for victim-survivors of the devastating impacts of coercive control – impacts that would otherwise be invisible,” Ms Hunter said.

“It is also essential that the new laws are supported by widespread and comprehensive training of police, prosecutors and the judiciary, and a broader public awareness campaign so that everyone knows their rights and obligations.”

Full Stop Australia is hopeful that this legislation and reform package will serve as a blueprint for other Australian states and territories, with appropriate consultation with the sector, victim-survivors and other priority populations.

Full Stop Australia has already provided initial advice to the NSW Government for these laws to apply to relationships in all residential settings, in line with the current domestic violence laws in NSW.

“Domestic abuse and coercive control is not restricted to intimate partners and we will recommending an amendment to the proposed legislation to ensure all victim-survivors of coercive control can access these reforms,” Ms Foster said.