Canowindra CWA Increase Awareness Of Coercive Control

The crisis of gender-based violence is ur­gent. From July this year, coercive control in current and former intimate partner rela­tionships became recognised as a criminal offence in NSW, carrying a maximum pen­alty of 7 years imprisonment.

Coercive control is where an adult in­tends to coerce or control another individ­ual (the victim) through repeated patterns of physical or non-physical abuse causing harm, instilling fear, intimidation, threaten­ing them, and/or exerting control over the victim or another individual.

In October, the CWA Canowindra Branch, in conjunction with the Canowindra Con­nections Centre, held a presentation by Michael Jeh. Michael is an ambassador for the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation and travels across the country, educating communities about the dangers of coercive control.

The aim of the presentation was to in­crease awareness and empower the mem­bers of the community about the early warning signs of coercive control, and tell the tragic story of Hannah Clarke and her three children, Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, lost lost their lives as a result of do­mestic violence on 19 February 2020.

The Canowindra CWA Branch made a donation to Small Steps 4 Hannah to sup­port their work.

At the November meeting of the Canow­indra CWA Branch, members were pre­sented a report by member Zoe Nash about the culture of domestic violence in Australia. Zoe noted the prevalence of do­mestic violence in NSW, as well as data on the new coercive control laws in NSW.

This presentation coincided with #16day­sofactivism2024. Each year, from 25 No­vember to 10 December, World Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism cam­paign calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women.

During the global campaign, people around the world unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for im­proved laws and services to end violence against women for good.

Coercive control often leaves victims feeling confused, ashamed, guilty and hes­itant to seek help. However, it’s important to understand that support is readily avail­able and there are various resources avail­able to assist victims.

For more information or support for do­mestic violence and coercive control, visit www.smallsteps4hannah.com.au or call 1800RESPECT (1800 732 732).