A new coercive control law could see perpetrators jailed for up to 10 years

While coercive control isn't currently a crime anywhere in Australia except Tasmania,a new billproposed by the NSW Labor Opposition could be set to change things.

As reported by theABC昨天,党提出了一个最大的10年期jail sentence for perpetrators, marking an unprecedented mainland government stance against coercive control.

Defined as a series of non-physical behaviours including threats, humiliation, monitoring and isolation from friends and family, coercive control has been found to be as damaging to avictim's mental health as physical violence. At worst, it has been likened to a form of intimate terrorism.

But currently within mainland Australia, unless perpetrators physically injure or stalk a person, they're unlikely to be charged, leaving victims with few support options. Alarmingly, coercive control has also been found to be aprecursor to domestic violence, as evidenced by the tragic murders ofHannah Clarkeand her three children.

"The focus on physical acts allows a distinction to be made between good and bad men," says a report by白色Ribbon. "For example, some people may say that most well-meaning men do not perpetrate physical or sexual violence against women. This allows men to believe that if they are not hitting women, then they are not violent and are not the target of violence prevention efforts. In fact many women victims report that they feel most trapped and fearful when the frequency of physical violence decreases."

Coercive control is illegal in a number of countries including Scotland, the UK, Ireland and Wales, with perpetrators facing heavy jail time, but Australia is yet to provide a unified response. The 'Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill 2020' could change all that.

A new report released last week byWomen's Safety NSWsays a bill such as this one would enable authorities to intervene and stop offenders without needing to wait for abuse to escalate into physical or sexual violence. It will also better protect children present in the abuse, saysNSW Labor MP Trish Doyle, adding that it had been drafted to include all intimate relationships.

NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKayechoed Doyle's sentiments by asking the Premier to back the bill.

"People are being intimidated, threatened and even killed," she said. "We must work together at a state and federal level to make a meaningful change across the country to keep women and children safe."

If you or someone you know needs help contact the Australian Helpline 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).