Released 27/05/2025
The ACT Government has launched a public awareness campaign to help members of the community recognise the signs of coercive control, as part of its commitment to preventing family and domestic violence, supporting victim-survivors, and creating a safer community.
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Dr Marisa Paterson, said that coercive control is an incredibly harmful, insidious and widespread form of family and domestic violence.
“Coercive control is often a precursor to intimate partner homicide, and yet many Canberrans don’t know what it is or how to identify whether they are victims,” Minister Paterson said.
“This campaign is critical to ensure that members of the community know the signs and who to contact if they are a victim of coercive control.”
Perpetrators of coercive control use a range of tactics to dominate a person and impose a pattern of behaviour with the intention to control and reduce their autonomy. Signs of coercive control may include:
- controlling someone’s day to day choices
- financial control
- isolation
- monitoring
- threats
In 2023, the ACT’s Domestic and Family Violence Review Biennial Report reviewed 12 domestic and family violence homicides that occurred between 2000-2022, and found coercive control was present in almost all cases.
“It is critical that we build a consistent understanding of the dynamics of coercive control so that victim-survivors can access support and perpetrators are held accountable,” Minister Paterson said.
“Importantly, this campaign will help pave the way for future legislative reforms in this space, as awareness of coercive control is vital to ensuring that our laws are effective and support victim-survivors.”
The campaign, licensed from the NSW Government Department of Communities and Justice, and uses the image of a spider’s web to symbolise the interconnected pattern of behaviours which can trap victims of coercive control.
Minister Paterson acknowledged the confronting nature of the campaign and expressed gratitude to those working on the frontlines.
“I want to thank our domestic, sexual, and family violence services for their tireless efforts. I remain committed to advocating for the funding they need, especially as more people seek support due to increased awareness.”
As a key aspect of increasing community awareness, the campaign includes resources translated into several languages.
For more information on coercive control visit www.act.gov.au/coercive-control.
Support Services Contacts
Confidential support and assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Local supports
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)
Who: Anyone impacted by domestic, and family violence
Ph: 02 9280 0900
W: dvcs.org.au
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual violence
Ph: 02 6247 2525
W: crcc.org.au
Multicultural Hub Canberra
Who: Anyone with a multicultural background
Ph: 02 6100 4611
W: mhub.org.au
Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation
Who: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women
Ph: (02) 6257 0794
Victim Support ACT (VSACT) including VSACT specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach program
Ph: 1800 8222 72 or 02 6205 2222
W: victimsupport.act.gov.au
ACT Policing
Who: Anyone who requires police assistance.
Ph: 131 444
Please call 000 if you are in immediate danger
W: police.act.gov.au/online-services
24/7 Hotlines
1800 Respect
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 737 732
W: 1800respect.org.au
Full Stop Australia
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 385 578 (1800 FULL STOP)
W: fullstop.org.au
Lifeline
Who: Anyone who is feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or having difficulty coping or staying safe
Ph: 13 11 14
W: lifeline.org.au
13YARN
Who: Anyone who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and who requires support for any reason.
Ph: 13 92 76
W: 13yarn.org.au
Legal Supports
Women's Legal Centre ACT
Ph: 02 6257 4377
W: wlc.org.au
Legal Aid ACT Family and Personal Violence Unit
Ph: 1300 654 314 or 02 6207 1874
W: legalaidact.org.au/what-we-do/dv-unit
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Family Violence Prevention Unit
Ph: 02 6120 8850
W: alsnswact.org.au
- Statement ends -
Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases