While gaslighting isn't a specific crime on its own in Australia, it's increasingly criminalized as part of coercive control, a pattern of behaviour intended to control someone, now a crime in NSW (since July 2024) and with laws following in QLD, VIC, and SA, targeting severe domestic abuse where gaslighting is a key tactic. It can also fall under general bullying laws (Fair Work Act) for workplace psychological harm or be used as evidence in other domestic violence charges.
Gaslighting is a form of coercive control and is illegal, find out more about the law says below. Gaslighting can happen over a long period of time and can be a very gradual process.
Coercive control, which is a prevalent factor in domestic and family violence, is recognised in Australian law as a form of abuse. Many of the behaviours that are present in narcissistic abuse have a crossover with domestic and family abuse – even in the absence of physical abuse or sexual abuse.
Yes, you can sue for emotional distress in Australia, but your claim must meet specific legal criteria. Not every upsetting experience qualifies for compensation; the law requires demonstrable psychological injury stemming from another party's wrongful conduct.
Emotional and psychological abuse is real and damaging, but the law doesn't always recognize it unless the abuse includes things like harassment, stalking, or threats. Advocates and other domestic violence professionals understand how harmful emotional, psychological, and verbal abuse can be.
If you've been the victim of abuse, it's likely that the police will arrange for someone to talk to you in a safe and private way. Their first priority will be to check you're OK and find out if you need any emergency medical assistance.
Emotional abuse refers to a situation when a person willfully causes or permits a child to suffer, inflicts unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child, or willfully causes or permits the child to be placed in a situation in which their health is endangered while under their custody.
To prove prima facie defamation, a plaintiff must show four things: 1) a false statement purporting to be fact; 2) publication or communication of that statement to a third person; 3) fault amounting to at least negligence; and 4) damages, or some harm caused to the reputation of the person or entity who is the subject ...
There is a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for controlling or coercive control.
The prima facie case for assault has three components:
Proving narcissistic behavior in court can be challenging, but it's not impossible. It often involves gathering evidence of the narcissist's abusive behavior, such as emails, text messages, voicemails, or other forms of communication.
Stripping Down to the True Narcissist: 7 Definitive Traits
Here are five shifts to alter the dynamic between you and your gaslighter:
Gaslighting occurs in intimate relationships when a partner repeatedly undermines and distorts their partner's reality by denying facts, the situation around them, or their partner's feelings and needs. It can cause a survivor to question themselves and become unable to trust their own perceptions and judgements.
Merriam-Webster defines gaslighting as "psychological manipulation" to make someone question their "perception of reality" leading to "dependence on the perpetrator".
Physical documentation can help prove that you have been the victim of abuse. When filing a legal claim, any type of evidence will help show that you sustained damages due to verbal abuse. However, never record audio of a conversation or phone call without speaking with an attorney.
Penalties for Coercive Control in NSW
The maximum penalty for coercive control reflects the seriousness of the offence: Seven years' imprisonment if dealt with in the District Court. Two years' imprisonment if heard in the Local Court.
Online harassment that causes severe emotional distress or places a person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury can be a federal felony. The penalties include a fine and up to five years in federal prison.
Suing for defamation can be worthwhile if the false statement caused significant harm, you have strong evidence and the damages are measurable. Courts typically look at three key factors: Severity of harm: Did the statement cause real losses, such as losing your business or career opportunities?
Defamation Law: 5 Elements You Need to Know
Signs of emotional and psychological abuse
Narcissistic abuse typically involves emotional abuse via put-downs, accusations, criticism, or threats. A person with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) may gaslight or contradict you in front of others.
Symptoms of Emotional Neglect
Feeling like there's something missing, but not being sure what it is. Feeling hollow inside. Being easily overwhelmed or discouraged. Low self-esteem.