Coercive control is domestic abuse and can cause serious harm.
It is a pattern of behaviour when someone repeatedly hurts, scares or isolates another person to control them. It can include physical violence and sexual abuse - but it doesn't have to.
In NSW, it is a criminal offence when a person uses coercive control towards a current or former intimate partner.
Campaign expands to 5 new languages
Launching today, the multicultural campaign builds on the success of the previous year and uses the image of a spider's web to reflect how coercive control traps victim-survivors over time with a pattern of behaviours designed to isolate, dominate and control them.
The campaign was developed in consultation with multicultural communities and will be translated into an additional five languages - Korean, Assyrian, Farsi, Punjabi and Tagalog - building on existing campaign materials in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Arabic released last year.
It will be seen and heard on social media, in newspapers, on the radio and in discreet locations like public bathrooms and women's only cultural spaces.
Results from the earlier campaign showed a broad social media approach was effective in connecting with harder-to-reach audiences. Importantly, tailored material for each language group meant local organisations could promote the campaign across their own channels, increasing reach.
The first in-language campaign also achieved impact, reaching more than 664,000 members of Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking communities via Chinese apps, and more than 245,000 members of the Vietnamese- and Arabic-speaking communities on social media apps.
Campaign for seniors, people with disability
The campaign for older people and people with disability will commence Sunday 18 May with a focus on regional areas.
Advertisements in almost all regional news publications in New South Wales and on social media will feature real people who are older or who have disability, with information to promote an understanding of coercive controlling behaviours.
The scenarios depicted in the campaign will demonstrate what coercive control looks like so that people in the community can recognise what coercive control is, especially if they're experiencing it or know someone who is.
Both campaigns aim to educate and empower victim-survivors to recognise the signs and seek help and provide practical information on where to go for culturally appropriate or relevant support.
The first coercive control awareness campaign was launched last year with extensive input and support from a wide range of stakeholders and communities.
More than 3 in 4 people who saw the campaign reported taking positive action such as reflecting on their own relationships and visiting the coercive control website for more information.
To find out more about coercive control, visit the NSW Government's coercive control website.
Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:
"Coercive control doesn't always look the same, but its impact is always serious.
"For people with disability, coercive control can be difficult to recognise and escape - especially if they rely on the person using coercive behaviours for daily support.
"That's why these campaigns are so important-so everyone can recognise the signs, know it's not okay, and understand where they can go for help."
Attorney General Michael Daley said:
"Coercive control is an insidious pattern of behaviour used by perpetrators of domestic violence to isolate and control victim-survivors.
"It is a crime for someone to use coercive control against a current or former partner.
"This awareness campaign is important to show people how to recognise the signs of coercive control and where to go for help."
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:
"Everyone deserves the right to resources that help them recognise and understand that coercive control is a criminal offence. The NSW Government is continuing to work hard so that everyone has the same access to information - regardless of their linguistic preference.
"We need to make sure everyone understands that coercive control in intimate partner relationships is against the law."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"Coercive control can manifest in many ways and it's difficult to recognise because it can look different in different relationships and different communities.
"But it is abuse and can cause significant harm to someone, so it's vital that we reach as many people as possible and build awareness and understanding of coercive control in the community.
"We want people to know that coercive control in intimate partner relationships is a criminal offence, it is against the law, and perpetrators will be held to account."
Support:
If you're in immediate danger, call Triple Zero [000] and ask for Police.
If you or someone you know is experiencing coercive control, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800 RESPECT (Languages) for support and information. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
If you are worried about your behaviour, call the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. This is a free, confidential and anonymous service.
If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to contact the service you would like to speak to.
