The Invisible Pattern: Systems Abuse as Coercive Control Across Legal Systems
Tracks
Ballroom 4: In-Person Only
| Tuesday, November 24, 2026 |
| 10:45 AM - 11:05 AM |
| Ballroom 4 |
Overview
Grace Hallewell & Megan Farmer, Gold Coast Community Legal Centre
Three Key Learnings
1. Systems abuse is a form of coercive control that can occur across multiple institutions.
2. Failure to identify systems abuse can significantly compound harm to victim-survivors.
3. Trauma-informed and ethically responsive practice is essential across the legal and community sectors.
Speaker
Megan Farmer
Solicitor
Gold Coast Community Legal Centre and Advice Bureau Inc.
The Invisible Pattern: Systems Abuse as Coercive Control Across Legal Systems
Presentation Overview
Working within the Community Legal Sector, we are increasingly observing the use of legal and administrative systems as extensions of coercive control. This “systems abuse” is emerging across a broad range of institutions and processes, including free legal assistance services, child support, policing, Magistrates Courts, Child Safety, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Frontline practitioners are seeing clients present in significant distress, often managing multiple concurrent legal matters that extend far beyond what could reasonably be expected of an individual. These matters frequently form part of broader patterns of coercive control; however, they are often not recognised by police, courts, or other institutions as manifestations of domestic and family violence. As a result, such conduct may not be identified as breaches of domestic violence orders, leaving victim-survivors to continue navigating ongoing abuse across multiple systems and jurisdictions.
This presentation will draw on de-identified case studies from frontline Community Legal Sector practice to explore the ways in which systems are being manipulated to perpetuate coercive control. It will also invite consideration of the findings arising from a recent Queensland Coroners Court Inquest (April 2026), which highlighted the devastating consequences of failing to recognise systems abuse in the context of a fatal incident in 2022.
The presentation will further examine the responsibilities of solicitors and frontline/community sector workers in identifying and responding to systems abuse. Particular attention will be given to trauma-informed legal practice, including the ethical and professional obligation to ensure legal processes are not inadvertently used to facilitate further coercive control. In doing so, the session aims to encourage greater recognition of systems abuse across legal and support sectors, and to promote more informed, coordinated, and victim-centred responses.
To be presented by Megan Farmer and Grace Hallewell – Senior Family Law Solicitors, Gold Coast Community Legal Centre.
Frontline practitioners are seeing clients present in significant distress, often managing multiple concurrent legal matters that extend far beyond what could reasonably be expected of an individual. These matters frequently form part of broader patterns of coercive control; however, they are often not recognised by police, courts, or other institutions as manifestations of domestic and family violence. As a result, such conduct may not be identified as breaches of domestic violence orders, leaving victim-survivors to continue navigating ongoing abuse across multiple systems and jurisdictions.
This presentation will draw on de-identified case studies from frontline Community Legal Sector practice to explore the ways in which systems are being manipulated to perpetuate coercive control. It will also invite consideration of the findings arising from a recent Queensland Coroners Court Inquest (April 2026), which highlighted the devastating consequences of failing to recognise systems abuse in the context of a fatal incident in 2022.
The presentation will further examine the responsibilities of solicitors and frontline/community sector workers in identifying and responding to systems abuse. Particular attention will be given to trauma-informed legal practice, including the ethical and professional obligation to ensure legal processes are not inadvertently used to facilitate further coercive control. In doing so, the session aims to encourage greater recognition of systems abuse across legal and support sectors, and to promote more informed, coordinated, and victim-centred responses.
To be presented by Megan Farmer and Grace Hallewell – Senior Family Law Solicitors, Gold Coast Community Legal Centre.
Biography
Ms Grace Hallewell
Solicitor
Gold Coast Community Legal Centre
The Invisible Pattern: Systems Abuse as Coercive Control Across Legal Systems
Presentation Overview
Working within the Community Legal Sector, we are increasingly observing the use of legal and administrative systems as extensions of coercive control. This “systems abuse” is emerging across a broad range of institutions and processes, including free legal assistance services, child support, policing, Magistrates Courts, Child Safety, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Frontline practitioners are seeing clients present in significant distress, often managing multiple concurrent legal matters that extend far beyond what could reasonably be expected of an individual. These matters frequently form part of broader patterns of coercive control; however, they are often not recognised by police, courts, or other institutions as manifestations of domestic and family violence. As a result, such conduct may not be identified as breaches of domestic violence orders, leaving victim-survivors to continue navigating ongoing abuse across multiple systems and jurisdictions.
This presentation will draw on de-identified case studies from frontline Community Legal Sector practice to explore the ways in which systems are being manipulated to perpetuate coercive control. It will also invite consideration of the findings arising from a recent Queensland Coroners Court Inquest (April 2026), which highlighted the devastating consequences of failing to recognise systems abuse in the context of a fatal incident in 2022.
The presentation will further examine the responsibilities of solicitors and frontline/community sector workers in identifying and responding to systems abuse. Particular attention will be given to trauma-informed legal practice, including the ethical and professional obligation to ensure legal processes are not inadvertently used to facilitate further coercive control. In doing so, the session aims to encourage greater recognition of systems abuse across legal and support sectors, and to promote more informed, coordinated, and victim-centred responses.
To be presented by Megan Farmer and Grace Hallewell – Senior Family Law Solicitors, Gold Coast Community Legal Centre.
Frontline practitioners are seeing clients present in significant distress, often managing multiple concurrent legal matters that extend far beyond what could reasonably be expected of an individual. These matters frequently form part of broader patterns of coercive control; however, they are often not recognised by police, courts, or other institutions as manifestations of domestic and family violence. As a result, such conduct may not be identified as breaches of domestic violence orders, leaving victim-survivors to continue navigating ongoing abuse across multiple systems and jurisdictions.
This presentation will draw on de-identified case studies from frontline Community Legal Sector practice to explore the ways in which systems are being manipulated to perpetuate coercive control. It will also invite consideration of the findings arising from a recent Queensland Coroners Court Inquest (April 2026), which highlighted the devastating consequences of failing to recognise systems abuse in the context of a fatal incident in 2022.
The presentation will further examine the responsibilities of solicitors and frontline/community sector workers in identifying and responding to systems abuse. Particular attention will be given to trauma-informed legal practice, including the ethical and professional obligation to ensure legal processes are not inadvertently used to facilitate further coercive control. In doing so, the session aims to encourage greater recognition of systems abuse across legal and support sectors, and to promote more informed, coordinated, and victim-centred responses.
To be presented by Megan Farmer and Grace Hallewell – Senior Family Law Solicitors, Gold Coast Community Legal Centre.
Biography
Megan commenced studying a Bachelor of Laws/Criminology and Criminal Justice with a view to work in the family and domestic violence sphere. During university Megan volunteered at the Gold Coast Community Legal Centre and assisted as a Court Volunteer at the Southport Specialist Domestic Violence Court when it commenced operations. Since graduating, Megan has worked in private practice, on legally aided matters and returned to the community sector in 2023. Megan is passionate about family law and domestic violence matters, with a want to assist those in the community who need assistance managing these complex legal matters.
