Is It Coercive?
What happened to you has a name — and you have options. Is It Coercive helps you recognise coercive control, understand your legal rights by jurisdiction, and find support — at whatever pace feels safe. Every piece of information here is sourced and dated.
Four ways to use this resource
Use whichever entry point feels right today. There is no correct order, and nothing here requires you to act.
Understand what happened
Twelve patterns of coercive control, described plainly, each with real-life examples and sourced impacts.
Read the patterns →Know your legal rights
See what is and isn’t currently law across Australian states and territories — kept current, jurisdiction by jurisdiction.
Check your jurisdiction →Collect evidence safely
Practical, safety-first guidance on documenting a pattern without increasing your risk.
See the guidance →Talk to someone
A directory of Australian crisis lines and specialist services, plus resources for people affected by high-control groups.
Find a service →“You do not have to prove that every example in this guide happened to you for your experience to matter.”
Coercive control is a pattern of behaviours used to dominate, frighten, isolate, exploit, or take away a person’s freedom and independence. It can occur in an intimate relationship, a family, an elder-care setting, or a high-control group — with or without physical violence. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
This is not legal advice. Is It Coercive is an independent, non-commercial resource. Laws change and vary by jurisdiction — always confirm time-sensitive details with the linked official source or a qualified local service. See our full disclaimer.