Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
24 October 2023
The ALA has made a submission regarding the above Bill which will criminalise coercive control in Queensland. While the ALA acknowledges the seriousness of coercive control and supports all (particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) women who experience and speak up against it, the ALA is opposed to a carceral solution as the most appropriate response to this issue. Our submission explores in depth the appropriateness, effectiveness, and consequences of criminalisation on victim-survivor safety. For example, the incidence of misidentification of perpetrators and the associated homicide statistics is explored.
The ALA contends that specialist family violence services are in the best position to support women in relationships characterised by coercive control and investment in welfare support services is critical to ensuring victim-survivor safety (as recommended by the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence).
ALA Submission
Report