When NSW introduced coercive control laws in 2022, First Nations groups flagged that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims would not be afforded protection by the legislation. In fact, they would be squarely targeted. What do the experts say about the new legislation in QLD?
Available for comment: Dr Emma Buxton-Namisnyk
Dr Buxton-Namisnyk is an award-winning researcher whose 2021 analysis found almost one-third of First Nations women killed in domestic violence homicides had previously been identified by police as domestic violence perpetrators.
Her research also found police were likely to describe First Nations women as “uncooperative” or “unwilling” to work with police. In many cases, police used this language to justify their decision not to provide protection or assistance for First Nations women when they experienced abuse.
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Unintended, but not unanticipated: coercive control laws will disadvantage First Nations women
Both NSW and Queensland have committed to criminalise coercive control. This has the potential to disproportionately impact First Nations people who often can’t report to police safely.
Contact details:
Kate Newton
[email protected]
0404 788 622