Recognising Coercive Control: An Awareness Session for Educators and Practitioners

Coercive control can be difficult to recognise, particularly when individual behaviours appear subtle or are explained away. Understanding the wider pattern can help educators and practitioners respond with greater awareness, empathy and care.

Join Niici Lou for an awareness session exploring how coercive control can affect families and what this may mean for the children and adults you support.

What we will cover

Understanding coercive control as a pattern of behaviour.
Recognising behaviours such as isolation, intimidation, monitoring and restriction of independence.
Looking beyond individual incidents to understand the broader context.
Considering how fear and control may affect children’s behaviour, communication and sense of safety.
Listening and responding sensitively when someone shares concerns.
Reflecting on professional boundaries, documentation and appropriate pathways for support.
Considering how everyday communication and service practices can support safety.

Who is this session for?

Early childhood educators, teachers, service leaders, support workers and practitioners working with children and families.

Why attend?

Build your awareness, challenge common assumptions and feel better prepared to recognise concerning patterns and respond thoughtfully within your professional role.

WHAT YOU’LL LEAVE WITH

A clearer understanding of coercive control and how to recognise patterns beyond individual incidents.
Awareness of subtle controlling behaviours that may be overlooked or misunderstood.
Greater insight into how coercive control can affect children, parents and their interactions with services.
Practical examples of respectful language and supportive responses when someone shares concerns.
Questions to reflect on your own assumptions and professional practice.
Awareness of how everyday communication and service processes may unintentionally increase pressure or risk.
A clearer understanding of professional boundaries and appropriate pathways for further support.
A Certificate of Participation to keep as a record of your professional learning.

MEET YOUR PRESENTER

Niici Lou — Early Childhood & Parenting Lecturer | Speaker | Advocate

Niici has worked in early childhood education and care since 1998. Her experience includes working as an educator, manager, lecturer and owner of five childcare services. She also established her own Registered Training Organisation, where she lectured and employed other lecturers.

With qualifications in counselling and community services, and as a mother of four, Niici brings professional knowledge, personal insight and lived experience of domestic violence and coercive control.

Having navigated the Family Court system since 2017, she also supports others to navigate services and systems when domestic violence and coercive control are affecting their lives, helping them communicate their experiences and advocate for their needs.

Through individual conversations, advocacy and practical support, Niici has shared her lived experience and insights with lawyers, social workers, educators, allied health professionals, police and hospital staff to help strengthen their understanding of coercive control and its impact on children and families.

She is passionate about helping people feel heard, respected and supported and helping professionals recognise concerning patterns and respond with empathy and care.

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