The Attorney-General’s Department is inviting feedback on draft national principles to address ‘coercive control’ as part of the problems related to family and domestic violence.
Issuing the call, the Department said its Consultation Draft of the National Principles to Address Coercive Control contained eight draft National Principles, as well as short background sections and detailed explanations of each one.
“Coercive control is often a significant part of family and domestic violence” the Department said.
“Coercive control involves perpetrators using abusive behaviours in a pattern over time in a way that creates and maintains power and dominance over another person or persons,” it said.
“Perpetrators may use physical or non-physical abusive behaviours, or a combination of both.”
The Department said coercive control was a pressing issue that required a coordinated, national approach, and the Australian, State and Territory Governments were working together to develop National Principles.
It said the eight draft principles focused on a common understanding of coercive control and its impacts, the effects of discrimination and inequality, system reform issues and criminalisation.
“The consultation process will involve an online survey, targeted roundtable discussions and further advice from an Advisory Group made up of victim-survivors, family and domestic violence experts, and representatives of people at increased risk of coercive control,” the Department said.
It said people could contribute to a shared national understanding of coercive control by providing feedback on the Consolation Draft before 11 November via an online survey.
The Department’s 29-page Consultation Draft can be accessed at this PS News link and the feedback survey at this link.
Support for people impacted by the issues discussed in this article is available from 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.
