She is one of nine women who have shared their insights into this insidious behaviour in this month’s Marie Claire issue for the launch of the ‘Criminalise Coercive Control Campaign’.
Coercive control is a precursor to physical assault and associated with 99 per cent of cases where a woman is killed by her current or former partner.
Launched with Women’s Safety NSW, White Ribbon Australia, Small Steps 4 Hannah, Queensland Women’s Legal Service, Women’s Community Shelters and Doctor’s Against Violence Towards Women, and also supported by The Australian Women’s Weekly and Better Homes & Gardens, the campaign is calling for coercive control to be criminalised by July 2021.
Ms Burney says coercive control refers to a pattern of domination that may include financial abuse, psychological and emotional manipulation, cyberstalking, sexual coercion and isolation from friends and family.
“All women deserve to live free from violence, humiliation and intimidation,” she said.
Ms Burney says there are places in Australia where coercive control has become almost normalised.
“Indigenous kids need to understand what a healthy relationship is,” she said.
“With domestic violence claiming the life of one woman every week; criminalising coercive control would be a step towards addressing this national crisis.
“There were four women killed in the same week recently and it received little media attention; if it were four shark attacks, it would be on the front page of every newspaper.”
Join the campaign and sign the petition at nowtolove.com.au/coercive-control.
