Coercive control is a form of abuse that can slowly take over someone’s life without leaving a single bruise. It’s a persistent pattern of controlling behaviours designed to dominate a partner’s thoughts, actions, and choices, often leaving victims feeling powerless and isolated.
For families and individuals across Queensland, understanding what coercive control is has become crucial—especially as the state prepares to make it a criminal offence in the coming months and community awareness continues to grow.
Family lawyers play a vital role in supporting victims, helping them understand their rights and the steps they can take to protect themselves and their children. With the right legal guidance, victims can break free from these damaging relationships.
Let’s take a closer look at what coercive control really means and why recognising it is so important for those experiencing it—and the people who care about them.
What Is Coercive Control?
In Queensland, coercive control refers to a repeated pattern of behaviours aimed at dominating, isolating, and frightening a partner or family member. It targets a person’s independence and self-worth, often without physical violence.
Currently, coercive control is recognised under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld) as a form of domestic violence. Courts can consider this behaviour when issuing Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) to protect victims from ongoing harm.
While not yet a standalone offence, the Queensland Government has committed to introducing laws by mid-2025 that will criminalise coercive control. This change follows recommendations from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce and aims to better protect victims before violence escalates.
How Coercive Control Differs from Physical Abuse
Coercive control doesn’t rely on physical violence—it works by creating fear, isolation, and psychological harm over time. Physical abuse tends to be more obvious and easier to prove, while coercive control is subtle and relentless.
The damage is emotional, leaving victims feeling powerless rather than physically hurt. It’s the ongoing pattern that traps victims, often long before any physical harm occurs.
Signs of Coercive Control in a Relationship
Coercive control doesn’t always start with obvious threats or aggression. Instead, it often creeps into a relationship gradually, making it harder for victims to recognise what’s really happening.
Here are 7 common red flags and warning signs to watch for:
- Constantly checking your phone, emails, or whereabouts without consent.
- Controlling who you can see or talk to, including family and friends.
- Making all financial decisions or preventing you from working.
- Repeatedly criticising, blaming, or belittling you, often in private.
- Threatening to harm themselves, you, or loved ones if you leave.
- Using jealousy or possessiveness as an excuse for controlling behaviour.
- Monitoring or limiting access to healthcare, education, or legal help.
Psychological and Emotional Impact on Victims
The emotional toll of coercive control is often deep and long-lasting. Victims may feel trapped, isolated, and full of self-doubt, constantly questioning their own reality. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, depression, and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Many victims describe feeling like a “shell” of who they once were, with their confidence and independence slowly stripped away.
How It Affects Children and Parenting
Even when children aren’t the direct target, they’re deeply impacted by coercive control in the home. The abuse changes the family dynamic, often leaving children caught in the middle of fear and instability.
Here are the ways coercive control can affect children and parenting:
- Children may develop anxiety, depression, or behavioural issues from constant exposure to conflict and fear.
- Witnessing coercive control can normalise unhealthy relationship patterns, affecting their future relationships.
- Parents may struggle to maintain a safe, supportive environment due to the controlling partner’s interference.
- Children might be used as tools by the abusive parent to manipulate or control the other parent.
- Parental bonding can be weakened, making it harder for the non-abusive parent to protect or comfort their child.
How to Prove Coercive Control in Queensland Family Law
Proving coercive control in family law matters can be challenging because it often involves subtle, repeated behaviours rather than one obvious incident. Still, taking careful steps to document the abuse is critical when seeking protection or parenting arrangements through the court.
Here’s what you can do to build your case:
1. Gathering Evidence of Coercive Behaviour
- Keep a detailed diary or journal recording incidents, dates, and any witnesses present.
- Save digital evidence, such as text messages, emails, call logs, and social media messages that show controlling behaviours.
- Collect financial records showing withheld funds or restricted access to money.
- Gather statements from trusted family members, friends, or professionals who’ve witnessed the behaviour.
- Include any medical or psychological reports detailing the emotional impact of the abuse.
2. Role of Police, Courts, and Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs)
- Report the behaviour to police—they can issue a Police Protection Notice or help you apply for a DVO.
- Apply for a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) through the local Magistrates Court. Coercive and controlling behaviour is recognised under Queensland’s domestic violence laws when applying for a DVO.
- Present your evidence in court, showing the ongoing pattern of abuse rather than isolated events.
- If a DVO is granted, breaching it becomes a criminal offence, providing extra legal protection.
Support Services and Helplines
- DVConnect Women’s Line: 1800 811 811
- DVConnect Men’s Line: 1800 600 636
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
How Family Law in Queensland Responds to Coercive Control
In Queensland family law cases, courts take allegations of coercive control seriously—especially when it impacts children or parenting arrangements. Judges carefully assess the pattern of abusive behaviours, not just isolated incidents, to understand the full picture of control and harm.
If coercive control is proven, the court can issue protection orders, limit contact, or order supervised parenting time to prioritise the safety and well-being of the victim and children. The family court’s primary focus is always the best interests of the child, and coercive control is considered a significant risk factor that can change custody outcomes.
How VM Family Law Can Help
Dealing with coercive control is overwhelming, especially when trying to protect yourself or your children. Having an experienced family lawyer by your side can make all the difference in understanding your rights and building a strong case.
Here’s how VM Family Law can support you:
- Provide clear legal advice tailored to your situation, helping you understand your options under Queensland law.
- Assist in applying for Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) and gathering the right evidence to support your case.
- Advocate for your safety and your children’s best interests during parenting disputes or court hearings.
- Work closely with support services to create safety plans and ensure you’re protected throughout the legal process.
For expert guidance and compassionate support, contact VM Family Law today or call 07 3447 8966 to book your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is coercive controlling behaviour?
Coercive controlling behaviour is a pattern of actions used to dominate, isolate, or manipulate someone. It creates fear and restricts a person’s freedom, often without physical violence.
Is coercive control illegal in Australia?
Currently, New South Wales has criminalised coercive control, and Queensland is set to follow by mid-2025. Other states are also considering similar laws.
What are 5 examples of coercive power?
- Controlling finances and limiting access to money.
- Monitoring phone calls, social media, and whereabouts.
- Isolating someone from family and friends.
- Threatening harm to the victim, children, or pets.
- Using humiliation or intimidation to create fear.
What is the new law for coercive control in QLD?
Queensland plans to criminalise coercive control by mid-2025. This follows recommendations from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.
What is Hannah’s Law in Queensland?
Hannah’s Law refers to proposed legal changes inspired by Hannah Clarke’s tragic murder, aiming to criminalise coercive control and improve domestic violence protections.
What counts as coercive control?
Any behaviour that restricts, manipulates, or dominates a person’s choices or freedom is coercive control. This includes financial abuse, surveillance, intimidation, and isolation.
Final Thoughts
Coercive control is often hard to spot but can have a lasting impact on victims and their families. Recognising the signs and knowing your rights is an important step toward breaking free from abuse and protecting yourself or your children. If you’re facing this situation, you don’t have to handle it alone—getting the right legal support can make all the difference.
Contact VM Family Law in Brisbane and Queensland today for expert guidance and compassionate support. Call 07 3447 8966 to book your free consultation and take the first step toward a safer future.
