Coercive control is a form of behaviour which can often be found in cycle of violence type partner or intimate relationships. It is a complex issue and can take a number of forms.

The National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book describes coercive control as a course of conduct aimed at dominating and controlling another. The Bench Book notes victims experience feelings of “walking on eggshells” and need to ask permission to do small everyday things.

Threats, manipulation, monitoring, actively isolating, restrictions on general freedoms and economic and financial constraints are behaviours which can be engaged in as part of coercive control.

In Queensland, the definition of Domestic Violence includes amongst other things behaviour by the first person toward a second person with whom the first person is in a relevant relationship that is “coercive”.

As a lawyer with over a decade of experience both in and out of Court and having practiced in all aspects of Family Law including parenting disputes, child custody, divorce applications, property settlement, child support and domestic violence cases I have seen first hand the effect coercive control behaviours can have on people. To quote the Honourable Justice Jenny Blokland, “coercive control in some ways is the invisible part of domestic violence but the most dangerous in respect of emotional harm, and can escalate into very dangerous situations”.

If you or someone you know need assistance following family law separation or divorce, or are in the midst of a conflict relating to child custody, parenting arrangements, child care arrangements, property settlement or agreeing on the division of marital assets, please do not hesitate to contact our Maryborough office to see if we can assist you. We also service clients in Hervey Bay, Gympie, Bundaberg, Gayndah, Childers, Maroochydore, Brisbane and beyond.