Individuals, community members and stakeholders who have not already done so are being encouraged to ‘have their say’ on new draft laws outlawing coercive control in current and former intimate partner relationships in NSW.
Attorney General Mark Speakman has welcomed input from stakeholders and community members who have already contributed to the latest and fourth round of consultation on the NSW Government’s Exposure Draft Bill on coercive control.
“We welcome any input that community members and stakeholders may wish to provide – they can do so via the until Wednesday, 31 August 2022,” Mr Speakman said.
“The NSW Government values the sector’s insights and looks forward to receiving the contributions of its constituent members through ongoing stakeholder roundtables and any submissions they may wish to make.”
Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse that involves patterns of behaviour which have the cumulative effect of denying victim-survivors their autonomy and independence. This abuse can include physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse. The NSW Government’s proposed new law will make it an offence to carry out repeated abusive behaviour towards a current or former intimate partner, and will carry a sentence of up to seven years in jail.
Mr Speakman said careful consideration has been given to developing the draft bill.
“The NSW Government has already undertaken three rounds of consultation, including through the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Coercive Control, to inform development of this exposure draft bill for public comment.
Mr Speakman said NSW is well advanced to meet its commitment to introduce coercive control legislation this year, followed by a lengthy lead time for training and education before the new law commences.
