Coercive control laws for the NT being looked into as part of the Family Violence Act review

New laws to criminalise hidden forms of domestic abuse, such as emotional and financial abuse, could soon be considered by the NT parliament.

COERCIVE control is a step closer to being considered an offence as part of family violence laws.

In NT Estimates on Wednesday, Attorney-General Selena Uibo confirmed a review of the Family Violence Act would look into reforming laws to make coercive control an offence

A review of proposed changes to the Act, due to be handed down later in 2021, is being prepared to determine the most effective ways to reduce domestic and family violence.

“The review being conducted will also consider … the need for legislative reforms in relation to coercive control, which we know is a national conversation,” Ms Uibo said.

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She also said the review would look at whether domestic violence offences being committed in the presence of children should be considered an “aggravating circumstance”.

Coercive control is a form of abuse using financial, emotional and psychological control of a partner.

Other states have been looking into coercive control laws in recent years amid a greater focus on ending the scourge of domestic violence.

Tasmania became the first state to make coercive control an offence.

Attorney-General Selena Uibo. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

Dawn House offers shelter for women in immediate danger from family and domestic violence.

The organisation’s executive officer, Susan Crane, said the NT government needed to ensure the laws were implemented properly and police were well educated on how to collect evidence of coercive control.

“With coercive control, it’s not obvious. It can be things like women being tracked on their phones or in their cars,” Ms Crane said.

“I think it’s great that the Territory government is having a look at coercive control, because in every incidence (of domestic violence) there’s almost always an element of coercive control.

“It can be things like financial control and emotional abuse. It’s things that you can’t see.”

Ms Crane warned that rushing the laws would lead to police not being able to prove coercive control, as has happened in Tasmania.

“Their experience has been that it’s really hard to prove,” she said.

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