When Coercive Control Meets Family Law: The Responsibilities of Legal Practitioners

When Coercive Control Meets Family Law: The Responsibilities of Legal Practitioners

Coercive control, an insidious form of abuse within family law, is increasingly recognised for its profound impact on victims’ autonomy and well-being. Unlike physical abuse, coercive control often involves patterns of psychological, emotional, and economic manipulation, which can be difficult to identify and prosecute. As legislative measures evolve in Australia, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales, family law practitioners must deepen their understanding and refine their responsibilities to better protect victims and support justice.

This paper explores the complexities of coercive control in family law and examines the critical role legal professionals play in identifying, addressing, and supporting victims of such abuse.

To gain a deeper understanding of coercive control and the pivotal responsibilities of legal practitioners, download the full paper here. This comprehensive resource offers valuable insights and practical guidance for those working within family law or supporting victims of domestic abuse.

DOWNLOAD THE PAPER

Request an Appointment
Fill in the form below to find out if you have a claim.
Request an Appointment - Stephen Page
Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Egg Freezing in Prison: The High Court’s Decision in Smith

Does a prison sentence also mean losing the opportunity to become a parent after release? That question sits at the heart of Smith v Chief Executive, Queensland Corrective Services, a powerful High Court decision about egg freezing, fertility preservation and the limits of punishment. The High Court unanimously found that egg freezing did not fall… Read More »Egg Freezing in Prison: The High Court’s Decision in Smith

Donor limits Queensland: lesbian couples now one family

A lesbian couple using the same sperm donor should not become two families simply because both women want to carry a child. That is the straightforward principle behind Queensland Health’s reversal of its guidance on donor limits. The revised guidance recognises those women as one family for the purposes of Queensland’s donor limit. It removes… Read More »Donor limits Queensland: lesbian couples now one family

Page Provan Calls for Repeal of Surrogacy Parentage Regulation Changes

On 9 October 2026, our director Stephen Page wrote to the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, calling for the repeal of Part 3 of the Family Law Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026. If left in place, these regulations will remove the statutory presumptions that currently help establish the legal parentage of children… Read More »Page Provan Calls for Repeal of Surrogacy Parentage Regulation Changes

Family Law Section Law Council of Australia Award
Member of Queensland law society
Family law Practitioners Association
International Academy of Family Lawyers - IAFL
Mediator Standards Board