Experiences of Post-Separation Coercive Control: Family Law-Involved Victim-Survivors’ Perspectives on Coercion, Litigation Abuse and Financial Impacts

Contributing to a growing body of research, this article examines the lived experiences of post-separation coercive control, including litigation abuse and financial abuse, among female victim-survivors involved in family law proceedings in Australia. Drawing on qualitative data provided by 14 female victim-survivors, this article explores how perpetrators exploit legal systems to perpetuate abuse and how system-level structures and processes may enable such abuse, undermining victim-survivors’ economic stability, emotional well-being and safety. The findings underscore the urgent need for systemic reform to recognize and disrupt post-separation coercive control in family law proceedings, ensuring safer and more equitable outcomes for victim-survivors.