#  The Evidence Vault: Statutory Gaps in NSW Coercive Control Legislation (Division 6A Review Paper)

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 Sapience Financial Policy & Research Desk | Document Ref: ARCHIVE-2026.5 | Classification: Statutory Review Paper

  While the introduction of Division 6A into the *Crimes Act 1900* (NSW) marked a historic shift in criminalising coercive control, its statutory scope remains narrowly tethered to intimate partner relationships. **The Evidence Vault** establishes the statutory legal argument for expanding NSW domestic violence frameworks to protect adult children whose income, identity credentials, and legal agency are systematically intercepted by dominant parents.

   [JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: THE RAW REALITY]

 Under current NSW law, if an individual intercepts their spouse's salary and locks away their passport, it constitutes criminal coercive control under Division 6A. If a parent commits the exact same acts against their 24-year-old cohabiting child, it is treated as an unregulated private family matter.

### Statutory Gap Analysis: NSW vs Federal & ACT Frameworks

  | Jurisdiction / Statute | Relationship Scope | Protection for Adult Children |
|---|---|---|
| *Crimes Act 1900* (NSW) Div 6A | Intimate Partners Only | Zero Statutory Protection |
| *Family Violence Act 2016* (ACT) | Broad Family Relationships | Covered under Family Member definition |
| Federal Jurisprudence (*FCA 918*) | Modern Slavery / Servitude | Covered under Domestic Servitude precedents |