Understanding Coercive Control in Family Law
Friday March 21, 2025

Understanding Coercive Control in Family Law

Friday, March 21, 2025

Coercive control is one of the most insidious forms of domestic abuse, often occurring without physical violence but causing profound psychological and emotional harm. It involves patterns of manipulation, intimidation, and restriction of autonomy, making it difficult for victims to recognise or escape the abuse. In family law, understanding coercive control is crucial for protecting survivors and ensuring just legal outcomes.

At the 10th Annual Melbourne Family Law Conference, hosted by The Education Network on 6 March 2025, leading family law expert Stephen Page presented a comprehensive paper on this pressing issue. Drawing from years of experience, he examines the legal frameworks surrounding coercive control, its impact on victims, and recent legislative developments in Australia aimed at criminalising these patterns of abuse. This paper is essential reading for legal practitioners, policymakers, and anyone seeking to understand the evolving legal landscape in domestic violence cases.

Download the full paper now to explore Stephen Page’s insights on coercive control and its implications for family law.

DOWNLOAD THE PAPER HERE.

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
Child Relocation Law in Australia: Can You Move?

Can I Move Away With My Child? Relocation Law in Australia

Relocation cases sit among the most difficult parenting disputes in Australian family law. They usually arise when one parent wants to move with a child, or has already moved, in a way that reduces the other parent’s time or involvement. That move might be to another suburb, another regional town, another state, or overseas. These… Read More »Can I Move Away With My Child? Relocation Law in Australia

Legal Parentage Australia: IVF, Donors & Surrogacy

Who is a Parent By Stephen Page

The question sounds simple. Who is a parent? In law, it is anything but simple. Biology matters. Birth matters. Intention matters. Paperwork matters. State law matters. Federal law matters. Sometimes they line up neatly. Sometimes they collide in ways that leave families, lawyers and government departments wrestling with very uncomfortable uncertainty. That is especially true… Read More »Who is a Parent By Stephen Page

Posthumous Conception in Victoria: Law & Consent

Posthumous Conception in Victoria: Retrieval, Consent, and the Law

Posthumous conception cases in Victoria sit at the intersection of grief, medicine, and strict statutory rules. They are deeply personal matters, but they are also highly technical. Timing matters. Consent matters. Process matters. And one of the hardest truths for families is that retrieving eggs, sperm, or embryos is often easier than being legally allowed… Read More »Posthumous Conception in Victoria: Retrieval, Consent, and the Law

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