QLD
Magistrates Court of Queensland, Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 Bench Book (2025).
Chapter 1.3.4 discusses the nature of behaviours described as economic abuse. Chapter 1.3 more broadly discusses the nature of behaviours described as domestic violence.
Vic
Judicial College of Victoria, Family Violence Bench Book (2014).
1.1 - Emotional or psychological abuse defines this behaviour, providing a range of examples. Also see: 5.2.1 – Emotional or psychological abuse providing additional examples to demonstrate the various ways in which perpetrators of family violence abuse victims. For instance: ‘blaming the victim for all relationship problems; constantly comparing the victim with others, in order to undermine self-esteem and self-worth; sporadic sulking; withdrawing all interest and engagement (for example, weeks of silence); and emotional blackmail’.
Further examples are provided in 1.1 – Additional Guidance – Common Risk Assessment Framework.
WA
Western Australia Department of Justice, Equal Justice Bench Book, (2nd edition September 2021).
This Bench Book notes the definition of domestic violence used by the Department of Child Protection and Family Support which includes: “Emotional violence is behaviour that does not accord equal importance and respect to another person's feelings, opinions and experiences. Even though emotional abuse can have a profound and long-term impact on victims it is often the most difficult form of violence to identify. Many emotionally abusive behaviours are not crimes, and therefore victims can find it challenging to obtain protection.” [13.2.3]
Canada
Neilson, Linda C, Domestic Violence Electronic Bench Book (National Judicial Institute, 2020).
Emotional and psychological abuse are recognised, though not substantively expanded upon, as behaviours of domestic violence throughout this bench book (e.g. Sections 4.4.4, 9.3.1.2, Supplementary Reference 1), and as factors associated with risk (Section 8.8.1). It is suggested that ‘psychological abuse produces deeper, longer lasting scars than physical violence’ (Supplementary Reference 1), and that risk assessment tools may be ill-equipped to engage with this type of abuse (Section 8.9.2). Further, this bench book also recognises the interconnectedness of emotional abuse with other behaviours: ‘[e]motional abuse (e.g., threatening, intimidating, coercing, degrading, stalking) and financial abuse (e.g., interfering in ability to work by harassing employers or sabotaging transportation to work, controlling bank accounts and financial decisions, denying educational options, refusing to pay for necessaries of life, hiding or destroying property) and physical/sexual violence are interconnected phenomena. A pattern of emotional or financial abuse, associated with intimidation, domination and control, often escalates into physical or sexual violence’ (Section 9.3.1.2).
QLD
Magistrates Court of Queensland, Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 Bench Book (2025).
Chapter 1.3.4 discusses the nature of behaviours described as economic abuse. Chapter 1.3 more broadly discusses the nature of behaviours described as domestic violence.
Vic
Judicial College of Victoria, Family Violence Bench Book (2014).
1.1 - Emotional or psychological abuse defines this behaviour, providing a range of examples. Also see: 5.2.1 – Emotional or psychological abuse providing additional examples to demonstrate the various ways in which perpetrators of family violence abuse victims. For instance: ‘blaming the victim for all relationship problems; constantly comparing the victim with others, in order to undermine self-esteem and self-worth; sporadic sulking; withdrawing all interest and engagement (for example, weeks of silence); and emotional blackmail’.
Further examples are provided in 1.1 – Additional Guidance – Common Risk Assessment Framework.
WA
Western Australia Department of Justice, Equal Justice Bench Book, (2nd edition September 2021).
This Bench Book notes the definition of domestic violence used by the Department of Child Protection and Family Support which includes: “Emotional violence is behaviour that does not accord equal importance and respect to another person's feelings, opinions and experiences. Even though emotional abuse can have a profound and long-term impact on victims it is often the most difficult form of violence to identify. Many emotionally abusive behaviours are not crimes, and therefore victims can find it challenging to obtain protection.” [13.2.3]
Canada
Neilson, Linda C, Domestic Violence Electronic Bench Book (National Judicial Institute, 2020).
Emotional and psychological abuse are recognised, though not substantively expanded upon, as behaviours of domestic violence throughout this bench book (e.g. Sections 4.4.4, 9.3.1.2, Supplementary Reference 1), and as factors associated with risk (Section 8.8.1). It is suggested that ‘psychological abuse produces deeper, longer lasting scars than physical violence’ (Supplementary Reference 1), and that risk assessment tools may be ill-equipped to engage with this type of abuse (Section 8.9.2). Further, this bench book also recognises the interconnectedness of emotional abuse with other behaviours: ‘[e]motional abuse (e.g., threatening, intimidating, coercing, degrading, stalking) and financial abuse (e.g., interfering in ability to work by harassing employers or sabotaging transportation to work, controlling bank accounts and financial decisions, denying educational options, refusing to pay for necessaries of life, hiding or destroying property) and physical/sexual violence are interconnected phenomena. A pattern of emotional or financial abuse, associated with intimidation, domination and control, often escalates into physical or sexual violence’ (Section 9.3.1.2).