National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence

The Standing Council of Attorneys-General today endorsed the National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence and agreed to their public release.

These National Principles are a significant step in addressing gender-based violence in Australia.

The Albanese Labor Government recognises that understanding and identifying coercive control is fundamental to an effective response to family and domestic violence.

The National Principles set out a shared understanding of common features and impacts of coercive control, and establish guiding considerations to inform effective responses.

Coercive control is when someone uses patterns of abusive behaviour against another person. Over time, this creates fear and takes away the person's freedom and independence. This dynamic almost always underpins family and domestic violence.

Coercive control can involve physical and non-physical abuse and has traumatic and pervasive impacts on victim‑survivors, their families and communities. The National Principles illustrate why coercive control must be stopped.

I sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to the development of the National Principles, particularly the victim-survivors and their families who shared their experiences, and the many organisations who tirelessly advocate for them.

The National Principles and supporting resources are available on the Attorney-General's Department website.

The resources include videos, a factsheet, Easy Read materials and a guide for healthcare workers.

Additional material, including resources for First Nations peoples and language translations, will be released later this year.

The full communique from today's Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting in Perth is available on the Attorney-General's Department website.

If you or someone you know is affected by family, domestic or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au