Qld coercive control crackdown results in just two prison sentences
Queensland’s landmark coercive control laws have delivered just two prison sentences in five months, leaving more than 150 victims waiting for justice.
Just two people have been sentenced under landmark new coercive control laws in five months, with more than 150 victims still waiting for justice.
The exclusive data, obtained by The Courier-Mail, shows just six coercive control cases have been finalised – two defendants who were imprisoned, one case which was committed to a higher court, and three cases which were dropped.
It’s the first batch of data reflecting how the justice system is treating the new Queensland law since coercive control was criminalised in May.
Women’s Legal Service Queensland CEO Nadia Bromley said the numbers were encouraging, but she expected more people to be sentenced since the law was brought in.
“We know that there are many more victims who are not represented in these numbers, but of course we know coercive control underpins violence,” Ms Bromley said.
“So we would have expected to see more prosecutions, but the early signs are encouraging.”
The Department of Justice data showed 58 defendants charged with coercive control were lodged to the state’s courts between May 26 and October 31.
Of those, 52 defendants were still processing through the courts and six had been finalised.
Both defendants who were sentenced received prison terms of an average 21 months.
The maximum penalty for coercive control is 14 years jail.
Queensland Police Service data also showed 159 individual charges of coercive control have been laid, representing 161 victims who were almost all women.
Ms Bromely said coercive control had a flow-on effect.
“That’s why intervention is so important, unfortunately this type of behaviour is often repeated.
“The harm is much bigger than the one person.”
Coercive control legislation was implemented following the murders of Brisbane mum, Hannah Clarke, and her three children, Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, in 2020.
They were murdered by Ms Clarke’s ex-partner when he stalked them, doused them in petrol and set fire to their car before fatally stabbing himself in the chest.
Ms Clarke suffered years of coercive control and domestic violence which she reported to police before her death.
Her parents, Sue and Lloyd Clarke, were instrumental in the campaign and eventual implementation of making coercive control a crime in Queensland.
Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation chair Mark Woolley said while the charge was still new, they commended police and the justice system for using the offence.
“While the laws only took effect this year, they are clearly already being used by police as an extra tool to keep people safe from perpetrators,” Mr Woolley said.
“We always believe that stand-alone laws would help save lives, and these early statistics give us great hope that Queensland is on track to become a safer and more supportive place for people who are victims of coercive control.”
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the numbers showed the government’s commitment to the law.
“Within the first five months of introducing coercive control as a criminal offence in Queensland, these charges reflect the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to prioritising victims,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Identifying the initial patterns of abuse is critical for the safety of women and children.”
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