Coercive Control: SA passes new laws to tackle unseen form of Domestic Violence

This month, South Australia passed laws to criminalise coercive control as a standalone offence, making it the third state to adopt this legislation.

Coercive control is an under-reported type of domestic violence where an abuser seeks to control a victim’s behaviour.

The state’s laws are set to come in to affect in 2027.

Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence,  Katrine Hildyard says the delay is to allow time to educate and train police, courts and other domestic violence.

Image: Source – Pexel – MART PRODUCTION

Produced By: Sam Georgiou

Featured In Story: Katrina Hildyard – Minister for Women and The Prevention of Domestic Abuse, and Mary Leaker – CEO of Embolden

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 18 September 2025