Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill 2022
Prepared and submitted by: Mary Hilmi
Introduction
Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre (Western Sydney MRC) is a community-based non-profit organisation established to relieve the situation of people and communities actively and directly from diverse backgrounds whose social condition finds them disadvantaged. We aim to promote the principles of access and equity for diverse communities and identify and promote disadvantaged groups’ needs to ensure that no one is left behind. Underpinning our principles are the core values of Human Rights.
The organisation has been at the centre of diverse communities in Liverpool and surrounding LGAs for the past 42 years.
According to the 2021 census data, New South Wales (NSW) has a diverse population with 34.6% born overseas, and specifically in Liverpool, nearly half the population is born overseas at 48.8%.
Working closely with individuals and families, especially in multicultural communities, has made us sensitive to how policies and practices are framed, often overlooking diverse worldviews. We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the government’s exposure draft Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill 2022.
In this submission, we want to examine the proposed bill through the lens of diverse communities’ values, beliefs, and cultures. This submission will first provide a brief background to familial makeup of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in relation to Family and Domestic Violence, followed by the current laws in the family and domestic violence space. With this context, we identify gaps in the proposed Coercive Control Draft Bill 2022 providing several real-world examples. Finally, we propose recommendations to improve the bill to reflect the everyday experiences of coercion in CALD communities.
