'Too hard to prove': Concerns over Queensland's coercive control laws after one year

A year into Queensland's coercive control laws, a troubling reality is emerging: the very legislation designed to protect victims is proving incredibly difficult to enforce. Stories like Stephanie's, who was reportedly told by police that convictions for coercive control are rare because the behavior is 'too hard to prove,' highlight a significant gap between the law's intent and its practical application. This sentiment is echoed by legal experts who caution that a single year is simply not enough time to gauge the true effectiveness of such complex legislation. The core challenge lies in demonstrating a persistent pattern of controlling and manipulative behavior, which often occurs behind closed doors and leaves minimal direct evidence. For victims who have endured years, even decades, of such abuse, the law's recent implementation and its focus on post-May 2025 behavior can feel like a further barrier. While the introduction of these laws is a positive step, the current reporting suggests that law enforcement and the justice system are struggling to adapt, leaving victims feeling unsupported and disillusioned. From an Australian perspective, this situation raises critical questions about resource allocation, police training, and the need for clearer pathways for victims to seek justice under these new, vital laws.

“

no one has really been convicted because coercive control is too hard to prove and it was 'unlikely a case would ever succeed'.