NSW coercive control victim fears for ACT laws after limited testimony

A legislative hearing in Australia's Capital Territory (ACT) focused on proposed laws to criminalize coercive control concluded after hearing testimony from a single victim-survivor. The ACT government introduced its Crimes (Coercive Control) Amendment Bill 2026 in May, which was subsequently sent to a Legislative Assembly committee for scrutiny.

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It's only one story, one experience.

This proposed legislation aims to align the ACT with other jurisdictions, such as New South Wales, which established coercive control as a distinct offense in July 2024. While the committee inquiry received submissions from various organizations, including support services, only one individual shared their lived experience as a victim-survivor.

Samantha Bouffler, who escaped coercive control and was instrumental in the first conviction for the offense in NSW, voiced concerns regarding the limited victim testimony presented to the ACT committee. "It's only one story, one experience," Ms. Bouffler stated, emphasizing that the diverse and often hidden tactics of coercive control can make it difficult for victims to be recognized or believed.

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I get so many women [reaching out] who have left their relationship, but they're still being controlled through their kids … through the court system.

Ms. Bouffler described how coercive control can "make your life hell" through various means, including manipulation via children, targeting professional credibility, and attacking businesses. She recounted her own harrowing experience, which involved intense psychological abuse and being locked out of her home for three days, witnessed by her daughter. She had not recognized the abuse as coercive control until police intervened when she sought help to retrieve her belongings.

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I ended up having to leave on the spot because I endured three days of intense psychological abuse, being locked in and out of my home. My daughter saw a lot as well.

Her former partner, Callum Fairleigh, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 15 months for coercive control in NSW. The proposed ACT legislation carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment, mirroring the NSW offense. The hearing also heard from a counselor named Stephanie, who noted that isolated acts of coercive control can sometimes be mistakenly perceived as reasonable.

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I was in denial and thought, 'Oh no, he'll never kill me' … I swept it under the rug.