Coercive control to carry long jail terms under Libs policy to tackle domestic violence

Proposed laws, agreed to by shadow cabinet on Thursday, would see abusers found guilty of coercive control jailed for up to seven years under a Coalition policy — with Labor also leaving the door open to criminalising the behaviour.

Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson’s first policy will be to criminalise coercive control, in a bid to tackle domestic violence. Picture: Mark Stewart

Coercive control would be outlawed, with jail terms of up to seven years, under a bold Coalition plan to tackle the scourge of domestic violence.

New Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has vowed to push the laws through parliament in her first 100 days in office if efforts to introduce them to parliament next week are blocked by the Allan government.

Under proposed laws, agreed to by shadow cabinet on Thursday, abusers would be found guilty of coercive control if they were found to have engaged in ongoing behaviour including violence or threats of violence, intimidation or humiliation, coercion or control, financial abuse, psychological abuse, or monitoring the activities of their partner.

Jess Wilson with her son Patrick. Picture: Mark Stewart

The fact Ms Wilson’s first formal policy announcement focuses on crime has stunned some colleagues. Picture: Alison Wynd

Evidence could include phone records, text messages, photographs of injury, diary entries of events, bank records and witnesses.

Premier Jacinta Allan left the door open to criminalising coercive control on Thursday, saying her government was looking at further reforms.

“There is always new work that needs to be done to keep women and children safe, and that is why we’ve already moved to have coercive control recognised as an insidious criminal behaviour, in response to family violence victims,” she said.

“But we’ll also continue to look at more ways to support women and children.”

The Coalition policy is the first to be announced by Ms Wilson since becoming leader of the Victorian Liberal Party after Liberal MPs voted to topple former leader Brad Battin.

Internal critics of Mr Battin had long argued he had been too singularly focused on crime.

That Ms Wilson’s first formal policy announcement focused on crime stunned some colleagues, but others said it was a perfect policy to speak to female voters who the party desperately needed to attract.

The announcement builds on the Coalition’s Right to Ask, Right to Know domestic violence disclosure scheme, which would let people request information about a partner’s violent history and allow police to disclose where there is serious risk.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has also left the door open for Labor to criminalise coercive control. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“When nearly 100 per cent of all intimate partner murders are preceded by coercive control, it could not be clearer that action needs to be taken to stop this sinister behaviour,” Ms Wilson said.

“Not only will this legislation help to protect women and girls, it will also help victims identify patterns of behaviour and abuse.

“Too often we hear of women feeling isolated, knowing something is wrong but not being able to name it.

“This legislation will give that abusive behaviour a name and definition for what they are experiencing.

“Victoria must finally call coercive control what it is: a crime. Under a government I lead, that’s exactly what will happen.”

It is understood shadow minister for the prevention of family violence, Cindy McLeish, had been working on the policy, which is modelled on NSW laws, for almost a year.

Coercive control is outlawed in both NSW and Queensland.

“Whenever I talk to people about family violence, coercive control is almost always an underlying issue,” Ms McLeish said.

“It is power based manipulation that needs to be called out, and this legislation will do just that.

“This legislation also brings a greater understanding of coercive control and is a powerful driver of preventing family violence.”

The Allan government has faced repeated calls to specifically criminalise coercive control, beyond existing legislation which includes coercive behaviour in its definition of family violence.

The announcement comes as Ms Wilson prepares to unveil her new look shadow cabinet.

Sources said the new look team — expected to be announced on the weekend — was likely to see some backbenchers elevated to the frontbench for the first time.

Ms Wilson is also juggling four former leaders in her party room — Mr Battin, John Pesutto, Matthew Guy and Michael O’Brien — with all but Mr O’Brien, who is leaving parliament at the end of this term, understood to be hopeful of featuring on the frontbench.

Originally published as Coercive control to carry long jail terms under Libs policy to tackle domestic violence