Coercive control laws will be implemented in Australia on 1st July 2024. The change is expected to bring forward an influx of victims leaving domestic violence charities like Delvena’s Women’s Refuge bracing for impact.
Delvena Women’s Refuge Lane Cove is a charity which provides secure accommodation for women and children escaping domestic abuse. Delvena is one of the refuges run by Women and Children First.
Hannah Mayjor, Communications, Advocacy & Impact Officer at Women and Children First, says the Delvena Refuge needs support now more than ever.
“The refuge has been experiencing an influx already year on year and the demand has been growing exponentially. So we are already at a crisis point,” Ms Mayjor said.
“We are always sort of dealing with a lack of funds and constantly trying to gather more funds and resourcing to be able to meet the demand that we see… and the demand is increasing.”
What is Coercive Control?
Coercive control uses patterns of behavioural abuse to incite fear and control over victims, restricting them from their liberties.
This can involve patterns of financial abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, stalking, harassment and intimidation.
From April 2023 to March 2024, Lane Cove was in the top four Lower North Shore suburbs with the highest recorded counts of domestic assault-related incidents, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report.
The highest recorded was Willougby with 132 record incidents, then North Sydney with 129, followed by Lane Cove with 74 and Mosman with 41.
The report stated the number of recorded domestic violence-related incidents in NSW, per 100,000 population, involving Intimidation, stalking and harassment – behaviours often associated with coercive control – has increased by 4.7 per cent over two years.
Why Were Coercive Control Laws Amended?
“The laws were passed on account of New South Wales DV Death Review Team finding that out of 112 cases of DV-related deaths, all but one were preceded by the perpetrator using coercive control,” Ms Mayjor explained.
“These laws, I suppose with the legislative change like this, the actual impact of them is felt a little bit afterwards… in terms of convictions and perpetrators being held to account, that’s not going to be an immediate impact.
“We hope that with more media attention, you know, things like this, things like the New South Wales campaign on coercive control, there’ll be a greater sense of awareness in the community.”
Any offences associated with coercive control which were committed before the laws coming into effect July 1st will not be admissible in court.
Education is Crucial
Kylie Lynch, Women and Children First’s education and engagement officer says education is crucial in protecting victims and stopping the problem at its source.
“It’s really important that we educate and make everybody aware because, with the rate of domestic abuse in this country, we really need to understand that is all of society that needs to help us address this.” Ms Lynch said.
“We’ve started a programme called Safer Together. We cater sessions and workshops for sporting clubs, community groups, corporate organisations and schools.
“We’ll cover things like what is coercive control. What are the different kinds of tactics, threats, intimidation, stalking, and monitoring? So we give them real examples of what coercive control looks like. And then, the red flags for relationships that may not be healthy. What are healthy boundaries that people have the right to in relationships.”
Women and Children First Provide Accommodation and Other Services
Last financial year crucial services to 836 women, families, and young people were provided by the organisation – a nearly 60 per cent increase from FY2022.
The charity doesn’t just offer accommodation, but other services too, such as well being services for women and children.
“We have caseworkers who yes, work with the women who are in the refuge. But we also have caseworkers who work with women who are not in the refuge, and may be going through a process of safety planning, because they want to leave, but it may not be safe to do so quickly.
“We have a homework club where kids can come once a week. The mothers can sort of sit and chat and have that social connection with people who understand a similar experience. We have lots of lots of groups,” Ms Lynch said.
How You Can Help
Unfortunately, the rate of domestic violence has been increasing and shelters such as the Delvena Women’s Refuge Lane Cove need the community’s help now more than ever.
All donations to the charity are tax deductible and with tax time around the corner, now is the perfect time to donate.
“We love our community here in the Lower North Shore, the best way that they can support especially right now is to make a tax-deductible donation before June 30,” Ms Mayjor said.
“We really, really appreciate when local businesses donate vouchers for their services and products because we can give those directly to our clients and they’re always so, so thankful to be able to have that gift.”
The best place to donate is on the Women & Children’s First website.
There is the option to leave a comment when donating, where Lane Cove locals are welcome to write “Delvena” to ensure the funds flow through to the Delvena Women’s Refuge accordingly.
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