https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/need-to-know/coercive-control/coercive-control-laws
Queensland, Australia, released "coercive control laws" which extend the definition of domestic abuse to include behavior meant to intimidate and control the victim, that doesn't necessarily have to include physical violence.
This can include humiliation or using finances to control someone (such as controlling a partner's bank account, withholding finances as punishment, hindering employment, etc.).
Simply put, coercive control laws aim to stop the behavior that leads to physical violence. Domestic violence usually follows a pattern of controlling behavior. These behaviors can be subtle, and individual acts may not indicate abuse on their own. But as part of pattern can be used to legally convict someone of domestic abuse, with or without violence.
This is an interesting idea. Violent partners don't usually start attacking out of the blue and start showing signs of controlling, abusive leading up to violence. "Coercive control" laws can save victims early on before suffering a more serious crime.
Naturally, this has some problems. The first being educating the public that such laws exist, as well as how to recognize if you or others are a victim. Second, getting victims, which are usually women, to report such behaviors. Controlling behavior is psychological and can be a barrier to turning in criminals.
Also, what constitutes "controlling" can be subjective. It can be an uphill battle in court proving abuse took place.
A big issue that such laws would need to settle: does this apply to children? Can parents be arrested for "coercive control" toward their children? Should they be? How do you different between tough parenting and abuse?
It's a compelling topic.
@vivify saidIt sounds like they want to tackle narcissists.
https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/need-to-know/coercive-control/coercive-control-laws
Queensland, Australia, released "coercive control laws" which extend the definition of domestic abuse to include behavior meant to intimidate and control the victim, that doesn't necessarily have to include physical violence.
Th ...[text shortened]... ould they be? How do you different between tough parenting and abuse?
It's a compelling topic.
I just found something similar.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/legal-studies/article/abs/battered-woman-syndrome-and-defences-to-homicide-where-now/
"Battered woman syndrome" has been used as a defense against murder charges.
Typically, self-defense involves imminent threat to safety. With BWS, this can be argued in court if a woman attacked or killed her partner even if there was no imminent threat. The logic is that the woman may not have been in danger at that moment, but due to previous patterns of abuse, she felt the need to attack now or suffer later, including possibly being killed.
This defense was used with Lorena Bobbit, an infamous case from the 90's.
Lately I've been watching true crime shows with my wife, so this topic's been on mind.
@vivify saidWhile I am generally in favor of strong legislation to punish marital abusers, I am not persuaded that this legislation will actually prevent any marital abuse. The reason being that the abusers do not themselves recognize that what they are doing is already abusive, short of physical brutality. What really needs to be implemented are better and more comprehensive preventive measures, consisting of education and counseling.
https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/need-to-know/coercive-control/coercive-control-laws
Queensland, Australia, released "coercive control laws" which extend the definition of domestic abuse to include behavior meant to intimidate and control the victim, that doesn't necessarily have to include physical violence.
Th ...[text shortened]... ould they be? How do you different between tough parenting and abuse?
It's a compelling topic.