Proposed legislation to criminalise coercive control in SA

The State Government is committed to criminalising coercive control to prevent and end this insidious form of violence.

• To better understand coercive control, visit the See the Signs campaign website
• Easy Read paper explaining coercive control and the law (PDF 2.2 MB)

Creating new legislation to criminalise coercive control in SA

The Department of Human Services, through the Office for Women, consulted with the community in 2022 and 2023 to help shape coercive control laws. Guided by discussion papers, these sessions gathered feedback on the proposed legislation and implementation.

Key insights are summarised in the papers below.

In September 2023, in collaboration with the Attorney General's Department, we held information sessions on the draft Bill, the Criminal Law Consolidation (Coercive Control) Amendment Bill 2023. 

• Presentation for the Criminal Law Consolidation (Coercive Control)  Amendment (Community) (PDF 2.3 MB)

Discussion papers

• Discussion paper - Aboriginal women and communities (PDF 374.9 KB)
• Discussion paper - Multicultural women and communities  (PDF 364.0 KB)
• Discussion paper - Women with lived experience (PDF 323.9 KB)
• Discussion paper - Young people (PDF 334.3 KB)
• Discussion paper - LGBTIQA+ community (PDF 354.5 KB)

Summary papers

• Summary paper - Aboriginal women and communities (PDF 240.2 KB)
• Summary paper - Multicultural women and communities (PDF 224.2 KB)
• Summary paper - Women with lived experience (PDF 229.6 KB)
• Summary paper -  Young people (PDF 223.8 KB)
• Summary paper -  LGBTIQA+ community (PDF 233.4 KB)

Attorney-General's Department consultation of 2022

The Attorney-General's Department released a discussion paper in February 2022 to get public feedback on how to support a new coercive control offence in South Australia. It covered topics such as awareness, training, support for victim-survivors, and how to deal with perpetrators.

Consultation closed in April 2022. A summary of the feedback is available.

• Discussion paper - Implementation considerations should coercive control be criminalised in South Australia (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• Discussion paper - Implementation of coercive control offences in South Australia - submissions (PDF, 372.2 KB)
• Coercive control legislation overview on the Attorney-General Department website

Committed to Safety

'Committed to Safety: A framework for addressing domestic, family and sexual violence in South Australia' was the South Australian policy framework in relation to preventing domestic, family and sexual violence until June 2022.

A new strategy is in development.

Committed to Safety, released in 2019, is available as a PDF download.

Download the 2019 Committed to Safety framework (PDF 1.1 MB)

Two reports are available:

2020 Committed to Safety report (PDF 674.6 KB)

2021 Committed to Safety report (PDF 1.6 MB)

Community Education about Family Violence

'Break the Cycle'

The Break the Cycle website contains information, referral points and resources to help people affected by domestic violence to receive the help and support they need.

Break the Cycle is a South Australian Government campaign, funded through the National Partnership on COVID-19 Domestic and Family Violence Responses.

'Our Watch'

Our Watch is a national organisation working to change the culture, behaviours and attitudes that lead to violence against women and children.

The Our Watch website has practical advice, information and resources to help prevent this violence and support change in your community.

'The Line'

The Line is a national campaign for young people that helps them understand what’s okay and what’s not in a relationship.

The Line campaign is an initiative under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 and is funded by the Australian Government.

'Let's Stop it at the Start'

Let's Stop it at the Start is the national campaign to reduce violence against women and children.

The campaign was developed jointly by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments as a key action of the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010–2022.

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

South Australia's Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme provides a way for someone to get information about their current or former partner, to help make decisions about their safety and the future of the relationship.

You can ask for information if you are:

• someone who is feeling unsafe with their current or former partner, or
• someone concerned about another person's else's safety.

You can apply online or go to your local police station.

South Australia's Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS

Domestic and Family Violence fact sheets for communities

The State Government is committed to ending domestic, family and sexual violence and creating a safe community for all.

We work with all levels of government, community organisations and national bodies like Our Watch.

To make sure we reach as many people as possible, we are guided by state and national frameworks and partner with groups such as Women’s Safety Services SA and Multicultural Communities Council of SA to help us promote safe, respectful relationships.

Recognising domestic, family and sexual violence (PDF 127.0 KB)

What can I do to help someone experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence? (PDF 130.1 KB)

Promoting gender equality and respect 1 (PDF 122.8 KB)

Promoting gender equality and respect 2 (PDF 133.4 KB)

As part of our Break the Cycle campaign, the fact sheets have been translated into 25 community languages.

Family, domestic and sexual violence fact sheets for the military community

Family, domestic and sexual violence in the military community is a unique and complex issue, with regular relocations often isolating families from support networks and making it harder to know where to get help.

We developed 3 fact sheets in partnership with Veterans SA. Each offers practical advice, support and additional resources.

Are you in the current or ex-serving military community and experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence? (PDF 142.5 KB)

What can I do to help someone from the military or veteran community experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence? (PDF 106.5 KB)

Are you an FDSV agency working with a current or ex-serving military family experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence? (PDF 94.2 KB)

More information

Defence Housing Australia

Military Justice System - Department of Defence

National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032

Financial burden of unpaid rents, mortgages and loans due to domestic and family violence

Financial Burden Roundtables – Key Outcomes

In 2023, the South Australian Government held two roundtables with the finance and real estate sectors to find better ways to support women impacted by domestic and family violence (DFSV), especially those left with unpaid rents, mortgages or loans.

Achievements and Key Findings

Mortgages and Loans

The roundtable revealed that support from banks varies widely, causing confusion for victim-survivors. The move to digital banking made it harder for many to get help. Attendees agreed that clearer guidelines, better training for staff, and consistent approaches across the finance sector are needed. Banks were encouraged to provide educational resources on DFSV, improve staff training, and use technology to better detect financial abuse.

Rent and Housing

Victim-survivors often face rental debt due to damage or unpaid rent, making it difficult to secure new housing. Strict financial aid criteria and lack of training in the real estate industry also limit support. The roundtable recommended developing training for agents, offering references for affected tenants, and creating a central resource to help renters impacted by DFSV.

Continuing collaboration

These discussions brought together major banks, mortgage brokers, and the Real Estate Institute of SA, and highlighted a strong commitment to finding shared, long-term solutions. The SA Government and sector partners agreed to explore ways to raise awareness and continue collaboration to improve financial and housing support for victim-survivors.

Downloads

1-page summary - Financial burden roundtable - mortgages and loans (PDF 111.4 KB)

1-page summary - Financial burden roundtable -rent (PDF 113.8 KB)

Financial burden roundtable - Summary Report - Mortgages and Loans (PDF 747.4 KB)

Financial burden roundtable - Summary Report - Rent (PDF 788.8 KB)

Law Reform Addressing Family Violence

Choking, suffocation or strangulation

From May 2025, it is an offence to choke, suffocate or strangle someone without their consent, where the person is made unconscious. The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' jail. It is also an offence to choke, suffocate or strangle someone without their consent even if no harm is caused.

Legal Services Commission South Australia - Choking, suffocation or strangulation

Domestic Violence Orders apply across Australia

In November 2017, the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme was launched. In South Australia, domestic violence orders are called 'Intervention Orders'.

SA.gov.au - Intervention orders (formerly called restraining orders)

Protections for renters

In December 2015, changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 came into effect. These changes provide greater protections to victims of domestic violence who rent their homes.

South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) - Domestic violence

Domestic violence - intervention orders

In 2009, legislation gave police and courts greater powers to prevent and address domestic abuse. The Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 protects people from abuse by restricting what the perpetrator does as well as by requiring the perpetrator to work towards rehabilitation.

Legal Services Commission of SA - intervention orders

Rape and sexual assault

In 2008, changes were made to the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 and the Evidence Act 1929 to:

• make the definitions of sexual offences, including rape, child sexual abuse, and consent, easier to understand
• improve how courts deal with children giving evidence
• give better protection and support for vulnerable witnesses
• allow courts to audio record evidence and reuse evidence from earlier court cases.

National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022 - 2032

On 17 October 2022, the Australian, state and territory governments released the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 (National Plan).

The National Plan will guide actions towards ending violence against women and children over the next 10 years.

It highlights how all parts of society must work together to achieve the shared vision of ending gender-based violence in one generation.

Read the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.

Why we needed the plan

Violence against women and children is a problem of epidemic proportions in Australia:

• 1 in 3 women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15¹.
• 1 in 5 women has experienced sexual violence¹.
• On average, a woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days².
• Rates of violence are even higher for certain groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women³.

All Australian governments are united in their commitment to addressing the unacceptable rates of violence in our communities.

Sources:

[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2016 Personal Safety Survey (PSS), ABS, Australian Government, 2017.

[2] B Serpell, T Sullivan and L Doherty, Homicide in Australia 2019–20, Statistical Report no. 39, Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), 2022, doi:10.52922/sr78511

[3] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia, 2018, catalogue number FDV 2, AIHW, Australian Government, 2018, doi:10.25816/5ebcc144fa7e6.

Safety Hubs

Current locations

The Haven at Murray Bridge Community Centre

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women and the Murray Bridge Community Centre

Phone: 0402 889 542
Email: haven@mbcci.org.au

18 Beatty Tce, Murray Bridge 5253

The Haven at Gawler Community House

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women and Gawler Community House

Phone: 0466 801 553
Email: haven@gawlercommunityhouse.org.au

2 Scheibener Tce, Gawler 5118

The Haven at Mount Barker Community Centre

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women and Mount Barker Community Centre

Phone: 0439 002 785
Email: haven@mtbcc.org.au

3 Dumas St, Mt Barker 5251

The Haven at Mount Gambier Library

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women, Centacare Catholic Community Services and Mount Gambier Library

Phone: 0439 169 925
Email: mountgambierhaven@centacare.org.au

6 Watson Tce, Mount Gambier 5290

The Haven at Whyalla

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women and Centacare Catholic Community Services

Phone: 0407 251 696
Email: whyallahaven@cccsa.org.au

28 Head St, Whyalla Stuart 5608

The Haven at Port Pirie

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women, Port Pirie Community Centre and Uniting Country SA

Phone: 0499 420 923
Email: portpiriehaven@ucsa.org.au

28 Symonds St, Risdon Park, Port Pirie 5540

The Haven at Goolwa

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women and Goolwa Library

Phone: 0499 407 237
Email: goolwahaven@alexandrina.sa.gov.au

Goolwa Library, 11 Cadell St, Goolwa  5214

The Haven at Riverland

Delivered in partnership with Office for Women and Centacare Catholic Community Services

Phone: 0409 461 727
Email: riverlandhaven@centacare.org.au

2 Ahern Street, Berri SA 5253

Port Augusta KWY Safety Hub

Delivered by Kornar Winmil Yunti.

Phone: 8377 7822
Email: admin@kwy.org.au

Kornar Winmil Yunti website

Women's Wellbeing and Safety Centre - Port Lincoln

Delivered by Yarredi Services Inc.

Phone: 0473 431 322
Email: wwsc@yarredi.org.au

34 Mortlock Terrace (entry at rear from Dutton Street)

Women's Wellbeing and Safety Centre website

Workplace responses to violence

Workplaces are key environments where we can take preventative action to reduce violence against women and to support women who are experiencing or escaping violence.

Workplaces can play an effective and important role in:

• supporting women to remain safe
• stay in work
• access specialist support services.

A national plan

The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 recognises the value of including workplaces in our prevention efforts.

Our Watch supports and trains workplaces

Our Watch supports workplaces to prevent violence against women by promoting gender equality and respect. Through its Workplace Equality and Respect program, it offers tools and guidance to help organisations embed respectful practices, address sexism, and create safe, inclusive environments for all employees.

White Ribbon workplace accreditation

The White Ribbon Campaign is a national movement to end violence against women. Its Workplace Program helps organisations create safer workplaces by changing culture, policies and practices. The Department of Human Services was the first SA Government department to be accredited in 2014, with all other departments achieving accreditation in 2016.

Domestic violence leave

South Australian public sector employees can access 15 days of paid domestic violence leave. This leave helps people take time to attend court, seek legal advice, or make safe living arrangements. It supports financial security and recovery. More information is available in the Office of the Commissioner for the Public Sector's Domestic Violence Guideline.