Gladstone man first arrested after Qld’s coercive control laws pass

A man from regional Queensland has become the first person charged with coercive control, arrested within days of the legislation being passed.

Lloyd and Sue Clarke say the legislation must now be followed with a public education campaign. Picture: Lachie Millard

The first person in Queensland has been charged with coercive control in the initial week of landmark new legislation.

On May 26, coercive control became a crime in Queensland after years of campaigning to recognise patterns of controlling behaviour as domestic violence.

In the first week of the law being in place, eight coercive control offences have been reported to Queensland Police Service.

Of those, one person has been officially charged, while police are still investigating six incidents, and one complaint has been withdrawn since first being reported.

Police who charged a 37-year-old Gladstone man with 15 offences will allege the man breached his domestic violence order on a number of occasions over several months.

He was taken into custody on June 3 and was charged with 13 counts of contravention of a domestic violence order, and one count each of coercive control, and common assault.

The man initially appeared before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on June 4 and is due to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court on July 14.

The first person charged with coercive control is expected to appear in a Gladstone court in July.

Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation co-founders Sue and Lloyd Clarke said the charge was encouraging, but stressed that a public education campaign would help even more.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if most Queenslanders have no idea that these laws even exist,” Mr Clarke said.

“It also wouldn’t be surprising if many people who don’t know what coercive control means or what behaviours are red flags.

“If communities aren’t made aware of the help that’s out there, these laws lose their power.”

The new laws have been backed by the Clarkes – the parents of Brisbane mum Hannah Clarke who was murdered alongside her three children by her former partner in 2020.

Hannah’s controlling ex-partner stalked her as she drove out through Camp Hill before getting inside the car, dousing it with fuel and setting it on fire.

Hannah Clarke was murdered along with her three children by her former partner in 2020.

The Clarkes – along with the family of murdered Brisbane woman Allison Baden-Clay – heralded the laws, which were in line with recommendations made by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.

A spokesman from Queensland Police said the new laws represent a critical step forward in protecting victims and preventing further harm.

”Domestic and family violence is a community issue, and we all have a role to play in stopping it,” the spokesman said.

“Coercive control is dangerous, and these new laws will ensure perpetrators are held accountable before their behaviour escalates to physical violence.

“Police will continue working closely with support services, advocates, and the community to ensure victims and survivors feel heard, supported, and protected.

“We want Queenslanders to know that police are focused on enforcing the law, supporting those affected by coercive control, and ensuring every victim-survivor has access to the support they need.”

Coercive control is defined as a pattern of behaviour which includes emotional, mental and financial abuse, isolation, intimidation, sexual coercion and cyberstalking.

The coercive control offence holds a maximum penalty of 14 years’ jail – double that of the penalty found in Victoria.

Originally published as Gladstone man first arrested after Qld’s coercive control laws pass