Coercive Control campaign launched, based on research

The Queensland Government recently launched a communication campaign aimed at raising awareness about coercive control. The campaign, titled “See the Patterns” focuses on educating the public about the signs of coercive control, an underpinning dynamic of domestic and family violence that is often hard to identify.

Coercive control involves patterns of abusive behaviour that are not always physical but can include emotional, psychological, financial, or social manipulation intended to control a person. New legislation criminalising coercive control has recently been introduced in Queensland.

Enhance Research conducted extensive research across Queensland in 2023 that identified low awareness of coercive control across various audience groups. This campaign is an important part of a broader program of work to better prevent, address and respond to domestic and family violence, ensuring safer and more informed communities.

We are pleased that our research was able to play a role in development of the Coercive Control Communication Framework 2024–2027 https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/end-domestic-family-violence/our-progress/shifting-community-attitudes-behaviours/coercive-control-communication-framework