Domestic violence victims fought for this law. Some women’s safety advocates hate it

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll announced on Tuesday the introduction of new legislation aimed at criminalising coercive control, aligning the state with Queensland and New South Wales. The law, which follows national campaigns led by domestic violence survivors, including those inspired by the tragic death of Queensland woman Hannah Clarke and her three children, has sparked controversy among women's safety advocates. These advocates argue that the law could inadvertently place vulnerable women at greater risk of being falsely accused of family violence crimes. The legislation marks a significant shift in how coercive control is addressed legally. In New South Wales, the first person convicted under the coercive control offense, Callum Fairleigh, received a two-year sentence with a non-parole period of 15 months. The maximum penalty in NSW for such offenses is seven years. Similarly, in Queensland, where the law, known as Hannah’s Law, came into effect in May 2025, authorities recorded 53 charges within the first five months after receiving 149 reports. The potential maximum prison term in Queensland for coercive control is up to 14 years. Despite these developments, critics warn that the new law may lack essential safeguards. Roj Amedi, policy and advocacy director at Women’s Legal Service Victoria, expressed concerns that the law could be exploited by perpetrators of violence against women. She highlighted that individuals who engage in family violence are adept at manipulating systems, appearing charismatic, and exerting control through subtle means. This dynamic, she explained, could lead to increased harm, particularly for marginalized groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, disabled women, and members of the LGBTQI community. A spokesperson for Domestic Violence New South Wales, Angie Gehle, echoed these concerns, noting that in NSW, where coercive control became a standalone offense in July 2024, some perpetrators have effectively used the law to escalate their control. Gehle described instances where abusers employ strategic language to reverse the narrative, making victims feel threatened when they are not. Such tactics, she warned, can be deeply damaging and counterproductive to the law’s intended purpose. While there is broad national support for criminalizing coercive control, the Victorian women’s safety sector has raised alarms. They argue that the behaviors targeted by the new law are already adequately addressed by Victoria’s existing family violence provisions, which are considered among the best in the country. Advocates stress that creating a standalone offense carries substantial risks, potentially leading to more harm than benefit. This debate gained momentum after Opposition Leader Jess Wilson made introducing the coercive control offense her first major policy pledge in November 2025. Following this, the former Allan government reversed its position, shifting from the belief that coercive control was already encompassed within broader family violence statutes. Dr. Joumanah El-Matrah, chief executive of the Victorian women’s safety peak body Safe and Equal, emphasized that any reform should prioritize safety over haste. She pointed out that there is currently no robust evidence that a standalone criminal offense would enhance victim safety or promote greater accountability. As the law takes effect, the focus will likely shift toward monitoring its implementation and assessing whether it achieves its goals without exacerbating existing challenges faced by vulnerable women. The ongoing dialogue between lawmakers and advocates underscores the complexity of balancing justice with protection in cases involving domestic violence.