Thursday September 4th, 2025, marked the passage of landmark legislation to criminalise coercive control, an horrific form of domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) in South Australia.
The Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 will now include the act of “coercive control of a person with whom the defendant is, or has been, in a relationship”.
There will be severe penalties including 7 years imprisonment maximum. Over the past nearly 7 years, our community has come to the recognition and understanding more deeply that coercive control is a form of domestic violence.
National Council of Women of Australia, our Constituent Councils and women’s organisations of civil society across our country have been raising awareness about the scourge of domestic, family and sexual violence over many decades and the passage of these laws is an acknowledgment of how far we have come as a whole Community.
This is a recognition of the voices of victim-survivors who have courageously shared their stories and the incredible work of a committed DFSV sector who, over decades, have supported thousands.
The passage of this legislation is an enormous step. And, with the recent handing down of the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence in South Australia, together, this presents an opportunity to make real and lasting change. The hard work is yet to come.
We acknowledge all those who we have lost to violence. We share the hope that this legislation will do justice to honour their lives and stories.
Well done to Katrine Hildyard MP, Kyam Maher MLC, Attorney General, Josh Teague – Member for Heysen MP, Hon Michelle Lensink MLC and the incredible teams at the SA Office for Women and the Attorney General’s Department for the bipartisan approach to bringing this legislation to pass.
We especially acknowledge Sue and Lloyd Clarke, parents to Hannah Clarke who, with her beautiful children, were taken too soon.
To find out more about stopping coercive control, go to the Small Steps 4 Hannah website: https://www.
The Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation exists to HALT the cycle of domestic violence so that everyone can feel respected, informed, confident to act, and safe.
– Fiona Dorman, President NCWA
Add your voice to National Council of Women Advocacy- connect with your local chapter or go to: ncwa.org.au for membership details.
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1800 737 732 (24/7)Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline
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1800 497 212 (24/7)No To Violence (NTV)
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