Understanding Coercive Control when Providing Legal Assistance
Coercive control can be hard to spot, especially across different practice areas.
This free, self-paced training builds lawyers' capability to identify when a client is experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour and to respond in ways that prioritise client wellbeing and minimise unintended harm.
It supports safe client engagement and appropriate referrals to support services.
Aligned with national coercive control guidelines and grounded in decades of legal practice experience in family and domestic violence, this training supports work with diverse clients, including First Nations people, by promoting safe, culturally responsive, and trauma‑informed legal practice.
It contributes to building a more informed and responsive legal workforce, supporting improved client outcomes while reducing practice risk.
Women’s Legal Service Victoria and First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence have co-developed this training as part of a consortium partnership with Women’s Legal Service Australia and National Legal Aid.
We thank the Australian Government for funding this training.
Free and accessible
CPD‑claimable
Easy to roll out across teams
Supports safer, more consistent legal practice
Who is this for?
Foundational course
Available to all lawyers, in all Australian jurisdictions and practice areas.
Family law course
Intended for legal practitioners practising in family law, nationwide.
At the end of the training, you will be able to
deeply understand patterns of coercive control when working with diverse client groups
identify whether a client may be experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour
respond in ways that support client safety and align with the National Principles to Address Coercive Control
apply culturally responsive practice with diverse clients, including First Nations people
strengthen referral pathways and reduce unintended harm in your legal practice
Enrol
If you've already created an account, login via the ICL website.
Note
WA practitioners should access the training via Legal Aid WA’s Train N Track.