BY BEN COLLISON
It's hoped Hunter families will be better protected after the states Coercive Control Act came into effect today.
Designed to protect victims from emotional and financial abuse, the laws could see convicted offenders sentenced to up to seven years in prison.
The laws are also joined by the enforcement of tighter bail laws that will see alleged offenders of serious domestic violence offences, required to show why they should not be held on remand pending the outcome of their court hearing.
As part of the legal reforms, NSW Police Officers will receive additional training to recognise the complex and nuanced signs of coercive control to better identify and to support victims.
NSW is the only state in the country to criminalise coercive control.
