Control isn’t Love - It’s abuse! Why this new QLD law is so important
As of 26 May 2025, coercive control is now officially a criminal offence in Queensland.
Let that sink in!
Because while “control” might not leave bruises or trigger hospital visits, its damage runs deep. It chips away at a person’s autonomy, identity, safety and sense of reality, sometimes for years, before anyone on the outside even notices.
So what is coercive control?
Coercive control is a pattern of abusive behaviour used to dominate, intimidate, isolate, or monitor a partner - often without laying a single hand on them. It’s not always loud. It’s not always obvious. But it’s always dangerous.
Examples of coercive control include:
Isolating you from friends and family
Tracking your location or controlling your social media
Controlling your finances or access to money
Criticising what you wear, eat, or how you speak
Gaslighting you or making you feel “crazy”
Threatening harm to you, themselves, your pets, or your loved ones
Withholding affection as punishment
Controlling your access to healthcare or contraception
Blaming you for everything, even their own actions
Sometimes it’s disguised as protectiveness. “I just want to know you're safe.” “You don’t need to work, I’ll take care of you.” “They don’t really understand you like I do.”
At first, it can feel like love… Until it doesn’t.
And that’s what makes it so hard to spot. So hard to name. So hard to prove. Until now.
Why is it called Hannah’s Law?
This legislation was named in honour of Hannah Clarke, a Brisbane mother who was brutally murdered in 2020 alongside her three children - Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey - by her estranged husband, after enduring years of coercive control.
He hadn’t physically assaulted her before. But he had tracked her phone. Controlled her finances. Gaslit her. Monitored what she wore. Isolated her from loved ones. He made her feel powerless. And that control escalated, as it so often does, into horrific violence.
Hannah’s parents, Sue and Lloyd, have been relentless advocates for change since their daughter’s death. Their courage, their heartbreak and their voice helped drive this law forward. And this is her legacy - one that will now protect others in her name.
What about the rest of Australia?
Queensland isn’t the first - but it’s part of a growing national movement.
New South Wales passed coercive control laws in 2022, with criminal penalties coming into effect from July 1, 2024.
Tasmania was actually the first state to criminalise certain controlling behaviours back in 2004, though their laws are narrower in scope.
South Australia introduced legislation in 2023 and is expected to roll it out in stages.
Other states and territories, including Victoria and the ACT, are currently reviewing or developing laws to address coercive control following national recommendations.
Slowly but surely, the legal system is catching up to what survivors have known for decades: abuse isn’t always physical. And it shouldn’t have to be for us to take it seriously.
This law means coercive control is recognised for what it is: abuse. And it means survivors finally have legal backing when the red flags are invisible to everyone else.
If any of this feels familiar, whether it’s happening now, happened before, or is something you’ve watched someone you love go through, please know:
You are not crazy. You are not imagining it. And you are not alone.
Let’s keep talking about the stuff that hides in plain sight. Because naming it is power. And silence only protects the abuser.
Disclaimer: The content on this account is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. Every individual’s journey of self-love, sensuality and intimacy is unique. Always prioritise consent, respect personal boundaries and engage in practices that align with your comfort, values and well-being.