6AMeaning of “domestic abuse”

#### 6A Meaning of “domestic abuse” 6A Meaning of “domestic abuse” > > (1) In this Act, domestic abuse means any of the following behaviours directed by one person (the first person) against another person (the second person) with whom the first person has a domestic relationship— > > > > > (a) violent or threatening behaviour, > > > > > (b) behaviour that coerces or controls the second person, > > > > > (c) behaviour that causes the second person to fear for the person’s safety or wellbeing or the safety and wellbeing of others. > > > (2) Without limiting subsection (1), engaging in, or threatening to engage in, the following behaviour may constitute domestic abuse— > > > > > (a) behaviour that is physically abusive or violent, > > > > > (b) behaviour that is sexually abusive, coercive or violent, > > > > > (c) behaviour that is economically or financially abusive, > > > > > > Examples— > > > > > > > • withholding financial support necessary for meeting the reasonable living expenses of a person, or another person living with or dependent on the person, in circumstances in which the person is dependent on the financial support to meet the person’s living expenses > > > > > > > • preventing, or unreasonably restricting or regulating, a person seeking or keeping employment or having access to or control of the person’s income or financial assets, including financial assets held jointly with another person > > > > > (d) behaviour that is verbally abusive, > > > > > (e) behaviour that shames, degrades or humiliates, > > > > > (f) behaviour that is intimidation, > > > > > (g) behaviour that is stalking, or that directly or indirectly harasses a person, or monitors or tracks a person’s activities, communications or movements, whether by physically following the person, using technology or in another way, > > > > > (h) behaviour that damages or destroys property, > > > > > (i) behaviour that causes death or injury to an animal, or otherwise makes use of an animal to threaten a person, > > > > > (j) behaviour that prevents the second person from doing any of the following or otherwise isolates the person— > > > > > > > (i) making or keeping connections with the person’s family, friends or culture, > > > > > > > (ii) participating in cultural or spiritual ceremonies or practice, > > > > > > > (iii) expressing the person’s cultural identity, > > > > > (k) behaviour that deprives the second person of liberty, restricts the second person’s liberty or otherwise unreasonably controls or regulates a person’s day-to-day activities, > > > > > > Examples— > > > > > > > • making unreasonable demands about how a person exercises the person’s personal, social or sexual autonomy and making threats of negative consequences for failing to comply with the demands > > > > > > > • denying a person access to basic necessities including food, clothing or sleep > > > > > > > • withholding necessary medical or other care, support, aids, equipment or essential support services from a person or compelling the person to take medication or undertake medical procedures > > > (3) Domestic abuse includes behaviour by the first person that causes a child to hear or witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of, behaviour mentioned in subsection (1). > > > (4) Domestic abuse may, in the context of the relationship, be constituted by— > > > > > (a) a single act, omission or circumstance, or > > > > > (b) a combination of acts, omissions or circumstances over a period of time. > > > (5) Behaviour mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) may constitute domestic abuse even if the behaviour does not constitute a criminal offence. > > **s 6A:** Ins 2022 No 65, Sch 2\[2\].