A recent survey found that just over half of Australians say they know what the term 'coercive control' means, but over 90% consider various forms of coercive controlling behaviour unacceptable, and 83% support criminalisation.

In Australian-first research, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) commissioned Phoenix Australia to examine the rates of intimate partner violence among current- and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, using data collected in 2015 from a large-scale study of current (at the time) and recently (then) transitioned ADF personnel and their families.

The purpose of this research was to ensure an evidence base for the design of education about relationships for children and young people, highlighting the positive influence that well structured Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) programmes can have, and to ultimately investigate ‘what works well’.

While much national and international literature recognises the intersections of family violence and sexual harm, there is as yet little research and policy within Australia generally, or within Victoria, that addresses the co-occurrence of family violence and sexual harm experienced by adult victim/survivors. This research begins to address this important evidence gap.

The Australian government recognises coercive control as a pressing issue that requires a coordinated national approach. The government has collaborated with all State and Territory governments to develop the National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence (the National Principles).