About domestic and family violence
Domestic and family violence is a pattern of behaviour, where one person uses power and control over another person in a way that causes fear.
This can include behaviours that threaten, frighten, intimidate, humiliate, or physically harm another person, and can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, social, financial and technology facilitated abuse.
Statistics show that violence against women is increasing with:
- 15 adult women across NSW tragically murdered through domestic violence in 2023/24, up from 13 in 2022/23.
- Recorded domestic violence assaults across NSW increasing by 6.5 per cent in 2023/24, compared to 2022/23.
- The number of recorded domestic violence-related assault incidents in the Ku-ring-gai council area rising from 79 in 2014/15 to 146 in 2023/24, a jump of 85 per cent.
- One in four Australian women (27 per cent) estimated to have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15 years.
Domestic and family violence is a crime and can be reported to police.
It exists in every community and can affect anyone, regardless of gender, sexual identity, race, age, culture, ethnicity, religion, disability, economic status, or location.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, then help and support is available, including 24-hour support, see our hotlines and services page.
Coercive control
Coercive control is when someone repeatedly hurts, scares or isolates another person to control them, which has the cumulative effect of denying the victim-survivors freedom and independence.
Coercive control is abuse and it can cause serious harm.
From 1 July 2024, coercive control is a criminal offence in NSW when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them.
The law applies to abusive behaviour that happens after 1 July 2024.
Find out more about coercive control here