What is coercive control and is it illegal in Queensland?

Coercive control is a pattern of abusive behaviour aimed at establishing control over another person. It can include emotional, mental and financial abuse, isolation, intimidation, sexual coercion and cyberstalking.

Currently, coercive control is not a standalone criminal offence in Queensland.

However, this is set to change following the introduction of The Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to parliament by the Palaszczuk government.

This legislation creates a new separate criminal offence of coercive control. Under the proposed legislation, the following elements must be proven to establish the offence of coercive control:

a)     the person is in a domestic relationship with another person (the other person); and

b)     the person engages in a course of conduct against the other person that consists of domestic violence occurring on more than 1 occasion; and

c)     the person intends the course of conduct to coerce or control the other person; and

d)     the course of conduct would, in all the circumstances, be reasonably likely to cause the other person harm.

The offence will carry a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

It is expected the legislation will take effect in 2025. It follows recommendations of the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce.