Crimes Amendment (Non-fatal Strangulation) Bill 2023

This Bill Brief provides an overview of the Crimes Amendment (Non-fatal Strangulation) Bill 2023, which establishes two offences for non-fatal strangulation. It offers some background to the Bill’s introduction, considers the second reading speech delivered by the Minister and looks at the Bill in greater detail. It also considers the arguments in favour of and against the introduction of a standalone offence for non-fatal strangulation, including areas for further research, and compares similar offences in Australian and selected overseas jurisdictions.

Content warning: Some readers may find the following content distressing, as it refers to family, domestic and sexual violence. Contact numbers for support are listed below.

If you or anyone you know needs support, please call:

• The national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line: 13YARN (13 92 76)
• No to Violence—Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491.