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Information about the recent data breach
The Department of Communities and Justice takes data security extremely seriously and acted with urgency to identify and implement mitigation strategies to contain the breach. We are now assessing the documents involved and will contact affected individuals as quickly as possible.
The matter has been reported to Cyber Security NSW and the NSW Police Cybercrime Squad and is subject to an active police investigation.
Coercive control is when someone repeatedly hurts, scares or isolates another person to control them. It’s domestic abuse and it can cause serious harm.
Some coercive and controlling behaviours can seem minor on their own, but when they’re repeated or continuous, they can cause serious harm.
It can include any behaviour which scares, hurts, isolates, or controls another person. It can include physical violence and sexual abuse, but it doesn’t have to.
The abusive person often tailors the controlling behaviour to the person they’re abusing. It can change over time.
It can happen when people are casually dating, in a serious relationship or separated. The abusive person could also be a family member, co-resident or a carer.
Coercive control is wrong in any relationship, but from 1 July 2024, it is a criminal offence in NSW when a person uses these behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intent to coerce or control them.
Every time a person uses abusive behaviours, they’re making a choice to do so, and are responsible for their abuse and its consequences.
These are just some examples of coercive and controlling behaviours:
From 1 July 2024, coercive control is a criminal offence in NSW when a person uses these behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them. The law will only apply to abusive behaviour that happens after 1 July 2024.
Find out more about the NSW Government actions on criminalising coercive control.
Whether you’re experiencing coercive control from an intimate partner, a family member, a caregiver, or any other person, it’s always wrong and there’s support available.
If you’re in immediate danger, call Triple Zero [000] - external site and ask for Police.
If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to contact the service you would like to speak to.
If you or someone you know is experiencing coercive control, call 1800RESPECT - external site (1800 737 732 - external site ) or visit 1800respect.org.au/languages - external site for support and information. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
If you are worried about your behaviour, call the Men’s Referral Service - external site on 1300 766 491 - external site . Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. This is a free, confidential and anonymous service.
If you need legal advice or support, call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
More information about coercive control and support services are available in English at nsw.gov.au/coercive-control - external site .
09 May 2024