What is coercive control?

Coercive control is when someone uses a pattern of abusive behaviours over time that hurt, humiliate, isolate, frighten, or threaten another person in order to control or dominate them.

Coercive control is almost always an underpinning dynamic of domestic and family violence and from 26 May 2025, coercive control will be a criminal offence in Queensland.

See the patterns of coercive control

Who can experience coercive control?

Coercive control and domestic and family violence can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, ability, or location.

It can happen in many different types of relationships. The law in Queensland specifically recognises domestic violence and coercive control between romantic or intimate partners or former partners, family members, and in informal (unpaid) care relationships.

Coercive control is never the fault of the victim-survivor

There is no place for controlling behaviour in a healthy relationship.

It is never okay and it is never your fault if you experience coercive control. It is the responsibility of the person using coercive control or abuse to be accountable and seek help to change their behaviour.

How can coercive control be experienced?

Coercive control is more than just a single act and can be experienced differently. For example:

• An ongoing pattern of behaviour
  Coercive control is a pattern of abusive behaviours. Sometimes these behaviours are subtle and can be difficult to identify on their own, but when they are repeated or continuous, they can seriously impact the person's health, wellbeing, and safety.
• Both physical and non-physical abuse
  Coercive control can include different forms of abuse, such as physical violence, sexual violence, and threats of physical violence. It can also include or be a combination of physical and non-physical forms of violence, such as emotional abuse, verbal abuse, financial control, and social isolation.
• Loss of choice and decisions
  The intention behind coercive control is to have power and control over another person. It can be disguised or justified as an act of love, however manipulative or abusive controlling behaviours have no place in a healthy relationship.
• Hard to identify
  Coercive control and abusive behaviours are often subtle and adapted to manipulate or control the individual person targeted by the abuser, it can be difficult to spot the signs and seek help. It can also be difficult for people who face barriers to reporting violence to recognise their experiences as abuse and seek help.

Help and support

Free and confidential support is available whenever you're ready. You'll be listened to and believed.

• Find a local support service.