Coercive control is a repeated pattern of abusive, manipulating and intimidating behaviours and almost always underpins the dynamics of family and domestic violence. Perpetrators use coercive and controlling tactics and behaviours most often within intimate partner relationships, with current and former partners and within broader family relationships, including against children and elders.

Coercive control is a largely gendered issue and while people of all genders can perpetrate or experience coercive control, it is overwhelmingly perpetrated by cisgender men against cisgender and transgender women.

Coercive control is a range of deliberate tactics, with perpetrators using subtle, underhanded and manipulative behaviours that directly target victim survivors. These tactics are used in a methodical and deliberate way, and include physical and non-physical behaviours.

These tactics and behaviours may only be recognised and visible to perpetrators and victim survivors: they are often invisible or unnoticed by others. These behaviours intimidate, humiliate and coerce, causing fear, hurt, isolation and limits to victim survivors’ freedom of choice.

Examples of coercive control include gestures, looks, jealousy, social isolation, put downs, threats to harm, financial, legal and systems abuse. You may see or notice subtle changes over time from the impacts of coercive control, with victim survivors having reduced confidence, changing their behaviour, limiting and restricting their movements and activities or isolating themselves from family and friends.

Impacts

Coercive control is serious. It can cause immediate and long-term harm. The impacts often get worse over time and continue after the relationship has ended. Separation and relationship breakdown can be the most dangerous time for victim survivors. Coercive control can impact every part of a person’s life including their mental and physical health, relationships, employment and financial security. The abuse can also impact on a person’s sense of safety, their independence, and self-esteem – making them feel trapped, powerless and alone.

We know coercive control is a defining feature of family violence and is present in most, if not all cases where family violence occurs. For example, of the 2,247 victim survivor risk and safety assessments that CNV conducted between July to December 2024, controlling behaviours were present in 83 per cent of cases. This behaviour, along with intersectional risk factors of perpetrator alcohol and drug misuse, stalking and jealousy are key evidence-based lethality and risk indicators. This is not an isolated issue. Extreme risk was identified in 43 per cent of the victim survivors’ assessments: with 10 or more evidence-based risk factors identified.

Supports

Seeking support and/or leaving an abusive relationship can be difficult and victim survivors may feel like it is impossible to leave due to the risks they are facing. But help is available.

CNV provides specialist integrated support to both victim survivors and perpetrators of family violence.

We assess the safety and risk of victim survivors and perpetrators, to provide responses that uphold safety and accountability and mobilise systems. We work collaboratively to address the needs of our clients.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact us for advice and support. Alternatively, if you are supporting someone who is experiencing family violence you can refer them directly to our service.

The UN Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) was established in 1946, and is the primary international body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, and the rights and the empowerment of women. This year, the CSW celebrated a major milestone: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The Beijing Declaration is the world’s most comprehensive, visionary plan ever created to achieve the equal rights of all women and girls. Agreed by 189 governments in 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women, it centres on 12 areas of action – referred to as “critical areas of concern”. These cover jobs and the economy, political participation, peace, the environment, ending violence against women and more.

It was quite the experience being in New York to celebrate this landmark agreement in a backdrop of some of the most regressive and repressive actions, policies, laws and decisions occurring across the globe.  Whilst we have come a long way, there is still so much more to do in a context where hard fought for rights and gains are easily stripped away.

The CSW events include a large number of sessions and parallel events on a range of topics. We attended a number of sessions over two weeks with a focus on hearing from diverse voices and First Nations people across the globe.

One of these sessions included Maori and Pacific women and girls who shared reflections on the impact of national strategies to address gender-based violence and racism. The presenters discussed how these strategies did little to incorporate the voices of lived and living experience. Other sessions discussed the advocacy for constitutional transformation focused on reconciliation, remediation, restoration and reconstruction and for this to be developed in genuine partnership and co-design representing the ideals defined in the Treaty process.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, proudly spoke of and recognised the importance of feminist activists and civil society. He acknowledged the increasing backlash and misogyny and said we needed to continue to resist and push back against repressive forces.

Part of the trip was spent supporting the ongoing work of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS). I participated in the annual GNWS board meeting, attended the GNWS parallel event, several meetings to support advocacy and securing funds for GNWS and was involved in the initial steps to establish the Oceania Network for the GNWS.

Finally, CNV co-presented a parallel session with WESNET and Safe + Equal on how peak organisations contribute to strengthening frontline services addressing gender-based violence. The session explored the role of peak bodies in advocating for political, legislative and social reforms, and increased funding for specialist services. Presenters highlighted how state and national collaboration enhances support for frontline services and the communities they serve, and the importance of partnerships, resources, and advocacy in building effective and sustainable responses to gender-based violence. CNV was able to talk directly to how the WESNET and Safe + Equal had strengthened and supported our work. It was a great session and well received by the audience.