ACT proposes criminalising coercive control in new law reforms

The Australian Capital Territory is moving to introduce the Crimes (Coercive Control) Amendment Bill 2026, which seeks to establish a standalone criminal offence targeting patterns of non-physical abuse and coercive behaviour.

Currently, the ACT legal framework relies primarily on civil protection orders under the Family Violence Act, which typically requires police to identify distinct, quantifiable events such as physical assault or property damage. The proposed reforms aim to address the cumulative nature of coercive control, where psychological and physical harm builds over time to undermine a person’s autonomy and safety.

Legal experts note that the ability to criminalise these patterns provides family lawyers with a more effective way to identify and respond to the subtle, pervasive forms of abuse that often escalate even after a relationship has ended.