Previously I have had the honour of speaking on the intersectional factors of coercive control for First Nation women. Since this time, I have continued to researcher this space and identified the need to position colonisation as the initial act of CC on Frist Nation people. First Nations women experience coercive control in the context of the unique and complex histories of dispossession, discrimination and disempowerment. The aim of my research is to bring to light the how initial act of colonisation was coercive and controlling. I will explore the relationship between the definition of coercive control and the initial act of colonisation. Positioning colonisation as coercive control provides an explanation of the coercive control relationship between First Nation people and the systems that stemmed from colonisation – legislations, child protection, justice system, Centrelink etc. These systems continue to coercive and control First Nation people today.
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While a growing body of research and advocacy informing policy and law reform exists, it is primarily informed by evidence derived from non-Indigenous victim survivors. Little is known about the experiences and perceptions of coercive control among Australia’s First Nations women and communities, which has repeatedly been flagged by advocates as a major gap in current DFV reform activity.

I am a proud Kamilaroi woman with strong ties to Turrbal country and living on Kaurna land. With 17 years in social work and DFVSA, I have embarked on my PhD into Australia’s First Nation women’s conceptualisation of coercive control.

Key Learnings:

1. Up to date research on coercive control.

2. First Nation people’s views of coercive control.

3. A clear link between the Western definition of CC and colonisation and how this relationship is evident today.

4. A way forward