On July 1, 2024, New South Wales made a groundbreaking move by recognising coercive control as a criminal offence. The updated domestic violence laws acknowledge that abuse goes beyond the physical, encompassing psychological, emotional, and financial aspects. However, there remains a troubling gap in these laws: the intentional withholding of child support.

Withholding child support must be viewed as a form of financial abuse and coercive control. This form of abuse places immense pressure on primary caregivers, often leaving them in financially precarious situations. When caregivers cannot rely on the necessary child support payments, they are forced to make difficult decisions that could impact their children's well-being. Furthermore, the emotional toll of ongoing financial insecurity can be devastating, leading to stress, anxiety, and strained relationships.

Child support is not a privilege—it is a legal obligation that ensures children's basic needs are met. Yet, for many, it becomes a leverage tool used by former partners to manipulate and control their lives. This form of financial control effectively ties the hands of caregivers, preventing them from adequately providing for their children and themselves.

To address this, the New South Wales Government should incorporate the deliberate non-payment of child support within its definition of coercive control. By doing so, we would acknowledge the pervasive impact of financial abuse and take a significant step toward providing comprehensive protection under domestic violence laws.

We call upon legislative leaders to act swiftly. It's time to ensure that all forms of abuse are recognised and addressed. Recognising the withholding of child support as a form of coercive control will empower victims and hold offenders accountable, delivering a clear message that financial abuse in any form is unacceptable.

Please sign this petition to urge the New South Wales Government to update their domestic violence legislation to include the deliberate non-payment of child support as an act of coercive control. Together, we can achieve justice and protection for all affected families.

FURTHER REQUESTS

• Introduce stronger penalties for non-payment of child support Increase financial penalties and enforcement for those who deliberately fail to meet their obligations

 • Enforce licence and passport restrictions for non-compliance Allow suspension or cancellation of passports and driver licences for individuals with ongoing child support arrears.