National Principles to Address Coercive Control: Consultation Summary

The Commonwealth, states and territories are working together to develop National Principles to Address Coercive Control (National Principles). On 16 September 2022, the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, announced the commencement of public consultation on draft National Principles.

The consultation process was open until 11 November 2022 and included an online survey and a series of targeted roundtable consultations.

The following information provides a summary of statistics and key findings from this consultation. All quantitative data is drawn from survey responses; qualitative data is drawn from analysis of free text survey responses, submissions, roundtables and small groups discussions.

How we consulted

Consultation involved:

• 20 roundtables or small group discussions
• 248 survey responses
• 33 submissions.

Who we heard from

Over 400 stakeholders provided feedback.

32% of survey respondents identified as victim-survivors of coercive control.

We heard from:

• Government and non-government organisations
• Victim-survivors
• Frontline services
• Research and academia
• Legal sector
• Private sector
• Family and domestic violence experts
• General public.

Where survey respondents were from

Survey respondents were from, or organisations were based in, the following locations:

• 1% national organisations
• 14% from Western Australia
• 4% from the Northern Territory
• 10% from South Australia
• 15% from Queensland
• 20% from New South Wales
• 5% from the Australian Capital Territory
• 26% from Victoria
• 6% from Tasmania.

What we asked

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe the common features of coercive control. 10% strongly disagreed, 19% disagreed, 50% agreed and 21% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe the impacts of coercive control. 7% strongly disagreed, 17% disagreed, 56% agreed and 20% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe the key issues associated with a lack of understanding of coercive control. 8% strongly disagreed, 21% disagreed, 54% agreed and 17% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe the impact of discrimination and inequality in the context of coercive control. 7% strongly disagreed, 22% disagreed, 51% agreed and 19% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe the importance of listening to and working with victim-survivors of family and domestic violence. 5% strongly disagreed, 11% disagreed, 48% agreed and 36% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe the key elements needed to address coercive control. 6% strongly disagreed, 18% disagreed, 53% agreed and 23% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe key issues to consider when deciding whether or how to criminalise coercive control. 6% strongly disagreed, 18% disagreed, 50% agreed and 26% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles effectively describe the potential unintended consequences of criminalisation. 5% strongly disagreed, 18% disagreed, 50% agreed and 27% strongly agreed.

We asked whether the draft National Principles are inclusive of a diverse range of experiences and voices. 5% strongly disagreed, 17% disagreed, 51% agreed and 27 strongly agreed.

What we heard

The key themes of feedback from stakeholders related to the following:

The importance of National Principles

There was agreement on the importance of a shared understanding of coercive control.

Coercive control across different relationships

More acknowledgement was sought on the occurrence of coercive control in broader family relationships, rather than just intimate partner relationships.

Perpetrator behaviours

Stakeholders shared a range of additional behaviour examples that perpetrators can use as part of their pattern of abusive behaviour. Feedback also emphasised that perpetrator behaviours are unique to each relationship and context.

Coercive control as a gendered issue

There was a desire for greater emphasis on the gendered dynamics of coercive control.

Structure and organisation of content

Suggestions were made to structure and organise content within the National Principles to make them easier to navigate.

Audience

We received feedback that the Consultation Draft was trying to be ‘all things to all people’ and would benefit from having a more targeted audience.

Conceptualising coercive control

Many stakeholders characterised coercive control as an underpinning dynamic of family and domestic violence.

Intersectionality

A significant theme was the need to recognise the compounding effects of structural discrimination and inequalities on the experiences of coercive control by diverse cohorts.

“Intersectionality, as a way of analysing dynamics of power and social inequality in our society, needs to be embedded in the whole document” - Survey respondent.

Lived experience

There should be greater emphasis on the importance of lived experience.

Examples

Stakeholders, particularly victim-survivors and representatives from diverse cohorts, wanted more examples and context to help them ‘see themselves’ in the National Principles.

Societal understanding

Stakeholders provided valuable insights that highlighted issues with responses focused on physical and single or episodic acts of violence, as well as the impact of attitudes and behaviours that condone, minimise or excuse coercive control.

The flow on of societal attitudes to criminal justice and service system responses was also raised.

Common features for inclusion or emphasis

There should be stronger emphasis on the generation of fear and denial of liberty and autonomy as being intrinsic to coercive control.

Impacts

We were asked to better reflect how the impacts of coercive control are pervasive and cumulative.

“Also crucial to this discussion, both in terms of defining features and impact, is the element of fear which is instilled in victim-survivors by coercive controlling perpetrators” - Survey respondent.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experience

The National Principles should have greater acknowledgement of the unique experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Perpetrator accountability

Strengthening perpetrator accountability and maintaining focus on the abusive actions of the perpetrator were common themes.

“While the draft National Principles highlight perpetrator accountability in some sections, this could be strengthened throughout the document to ensure that the language used shifts responsibility from victim survivors to perpetrators and service responses” - Survey respondent.

Barriers to help-seeking

More information should be included on the ways perpetrator behaviours and lack of community understanding can prevent a victim-survivor from seeking or receiving help.

Children, young people and older Australians

The voices of children and young people as victim-survivors in their own right, and the experience of older Australians, should be elevated.

Criminal justice approaches

Suggestions were provided on shifting the focus of the criminalisation principles from the development and implementation of a specific offence, to broader legislative responses to coercive control.

Stakeholders also suggested strengthening content relating to misidentification and barriers to justice.

Next steps

Feedback from the consultation process is being reviewed and incorporated into the final National Principles, which are due to be released later in 2023.