APS Response to the NT Exposure Draft Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence) Bill 2023

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is pleased to provide feedback to the Exposure Draft Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence) Bill 2023 (‘The Exposure Draft’) and commends the Northern Territory (NT) Government for its broad and comprehensive approach to addressing coercive control and other forms of domestic and family violence. 

As we have mentioned in responses to other consultations, we applaud the fact that the question of whether to legislate against coercive control is currently being considered by the Standing Council of Attorneys-General. Working towards national consistency, this collective effort will help raise awareness of this devastating social issue. We also acknowledge the NT’s contribution to this work and commend the legislative connections to the forthcoming National Principles to Address Coercive Control (relevant to proposed Section 91C).  

In addition, we have commented on the following sections of the exposure draft:

• Proposed preamble of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007

• Proposed 5A Emotional or psychological abuse of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007

• Proposed 5B Coercive Control of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007

• Proposed Section 9 of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007

• Proposed Section 110 of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007

• Proposed Section 24 of the Bail Act 1982

• Proposed Section 21GA of the Evidence Act 1939.

• Proposed Section 106B(9) of the Sentencing Act 1995.

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