Coercive control is one of the most harmful forms of family violence. It includes isolation, surveillance, financial abuse, manipulation, and intimidation. It traps people in fear, eroding their autonomy until even love itself is used as a tool of power.

Here in Victoria, coercive control is still not recognised as a crime. That leaves dangerous gaps in protection, allowing abusers to continue their behaviour unchecked. Queensland has already acted with Hannah’s Law, making coercive control a criminal offence with penalties of up to 14 years in prison. Other countries, including the UK and Scotland, have done the same.

Victorians deserve equal protection. We call on the Victorian Government Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes to:

• Introduce legislation criminalising coercive control.Fund specialist family violence services so survivors have real pathways to safety.
  Provide trauma-informed training for police, courts, and frontline workers.
• Raise community awareness to make coercive control visible and understood.
• Victoria has long been a leader in addressing family violence. Now is the time to lead again. Survivors cannot wait.

Love should never be a weapon of control. By criminalising coercive control, Victoria can save lives.