What is coercive control? Is it really something we can define and work out how to respond to? The answer is yes and tonight at Kingscliff the police, former magistrate David Heilpern, Mandy Nolan, and Greens MLC Sue Higginson will be part of a community meeting looking at the new coercive control laws that came into force on July 1.
On 1 July 2024, new laws criminalising coercive control in domestic relationships came into effect in NSW. Coercive control is a pattern of controlling and manipulative behaviours within a relationship, which can include financial control, restricting personal choices, monitoring and stalking, isolation, and physical violence. These laws aim to address a particularly insidious form of domestic abuse that can have severe, sometimes fatal, consequences.
‘Do you know what it feels like to be the victim of coercive control?’ asks Ms Nolan. ‘It’s such a subtle manipulation of a person’s freedoms and identity that it can easily be dismissed if you don’t know what you’re looking for. But the end results can be fatal. In fact, in 97 per cent of intimate partner domestic violence homicides, the victim had experienced this form of controlling abuse.’
Free forums
The free community forums to discuss new laws criminalising coercive control will take place in Kingscliff, Lennox Head, and Mullumbimby during July and August. The free public forums will unpack the new laws, providing a safe place for discussion about how a person experiencing coercive control in their relationship can get help. All community members are welcome with those working in child care, hairdressing, beauty industry, targeted as key ‘frontline’ industries who would benefit from this information.
‘I grew up with domestic violence, so this is an issue close to my heart. I want to make sure every woman or person at risk in our community is safe. These forums will help unpack the new Coercive Control laws so that people know how to identify when this is happening to them and what their rights are. This is how we start to keep women safe. We need to understand coercive control at a community level so that conversations may lead to the intervention that might save a life.’
Event Details:
‘Let’s Talk Coercive Control’ Community Forums
Kingscliff
16 July 2024 – 6pm to 8pm at Kingscliff Community Hall
Speakers: Mandy Nolan, Greens MLC Sue Higginson, lawyer and author David Heilpern, and a police representative
Lenox Head
23 July 2024 – 6pm to 8pm at Lennox Cultural Centre
Speakers: Mandy Nolan, Peace Decle (Barrister, Commercial Bank Chambers Lismore), Alyce Parham (Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services), Greens Councillor Kirri Dicker, and a police representative.
Mullumbimby
6 August 2024 – 6pm – 8pm at Mullumbimby ex Services Club
Speakers: Mandy Nolan, other speakers TBA
Mandy Nolan emphasises the importance of community input to make sure that these crucial new laws are properly applied.
‘Right now the bill only covers intimate relationships, but we know that this occurs across the board. We want to make sure that the government knows where and when so they can include this in their review in 2026. Your input now matters!’
To RSVP or for more information, visit mandy4richmond.com/events or call Fiona on 0487 003 872
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