A rally is planned for Byron Bay’s Railway Park TONIGHT, Friday, July 26 from 6pm. It will be one of 23 during a national weekend of rallies calling for an end to male violence against women.
When you think of domestic violence (DV) often the first images that come to mind are physical: black eyes, broken bones, often cowering, and sometimes dead, women and children.
The reality is that there are many forms of domestic violence that can’t be easily seen by the casual observer as they are not necessarily physically abusive – but they are still used to control and harm people in intimate relationships. New laws that came into force in NSW on July 1, 2024 now criminalise ‘coercive control’ in domestic relationships.
What is coercive control?
Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse that includes intimidation, violence, and fear, explained former magistrate, David Heilpern.
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. This can include things like intimidation, fear for a person’s welfare, threats of removing children or bringing in social services.
‘Of the 112 women who were killed between 10 March, 2008 and 30 June, 2016 in NSW, 111 were victims of coercive control,’ explained Mr Heilpern.
That means 99 per cent of DV homicides (a person being killed by an intimate or former intimate partner) occurred where ‘the relationship was characterised by the abuser’s use of coercive and controlling behaviours towards the victim’ according to the coercive control discussion paper in 2020.
Not just a one-off
Coercive control is often achieved by perpetrators ‘using a gradual escalation of tactics like isolating their partner from their family and friends, humiliating them and putting them down, controlling and tracking their movements, and taking away their ability to make decisions about things like what they wear and how they spend their money,’ explained the Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control in 2021.
It is important to recognise that a one-off event is not coercive control.
‘It is a pattern of behaviours that in itself may not be criminal, but when repeated and over a long period of time is coercive control,’ explained Mr Heilpern.
‘It has to be serious, repeated, and done with the intention of control. The police officer in charge of DV for Tweed Region, Sergeant Lance Stebbing, was really clear; we will have to see how the new legislation goes as there are a lot of proofs and requirements to prosecute a case and he anticipates there will be significant hurdles to get a conviction.’
However, Mr Heilpern emphasised the importance of taking action ‘to stop the wave of deaths’ we have seen as a result of DV.
This legislation is part of a package that is starting the discussion around coercive control and beginning to make the changes necessary to reduce the deaths that result from DV.
‘This is part of a package, it is not just a legislative change there is increased funding for victims, men’s anger management programs, and it refocuses attention on DV. Every frontline police officer will be doing coercive control and DV training,’ said Mr Heilpern.
‘They are now appointing senior officers into these roles recognising the importance of creating change.
‘However, there are also a range of other actions that are proven to reduce DV that need to be considered as well and these include gun control, minimising access to gambling, alcohol restrictions and early closing.
‘Coercive control is about power relationships and if there is an imbalance of power in your relationship that is a warning sign. If on reflection there is a power imbalance through money control, jealousy, paranoia, humiliation, etc. then go and see someone. Get some help, there are services available through organisations like the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC), there is the confidential counselling service on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or if you’re in danger call 000.’
Free forum Mullum
Find out more about coercive control there is a free forum being held on August 6 at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club from 6 to 8pm. Speakers include Mr Heilpern, Sergeant Lance Stebbing from the Tweed Byron District DV unit, Abmyr Johnston manager for the Staying Home Leaving Violence program between Tweed and Ballina, who also leads the MDNC Women’s Resource Centre, and Mandy Nolan.
To RSVP or for more information, visit mandy4richmond.com/events or call Fiona on 0487 003 872.
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