VICTIMS of psychological abuse can now have their tormentors convicted under new domestic violence laws passed by State Parliament last week.

The sweeping changes include specific legislation targeting mental abuse, highlighting that domestic violence does not always leave bruises.

The move was welcomed by women's groups who said the law was finally catching up with society.

They are angry Premier Morris Iemma's election promise of a stand-alone domestic violence unit is yet to be finalised.

A discussion paper on how the unit will be implemented was due to be delivered at the end of November but the community is still waiting.

"We are really keen to know what the recommendations of the report are and when it is going to be implemented and established," spokeswoman for NSW Domestic Violence Coalition Betty Green said.

A Premier's Department spokeswoman said the report was under consideration and due to be finalised in the next few weeks.

Mr Iemma told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that psychological abuse was often as traumatic for victims as physical harm and needed to be recognised as such.

Mr Iemma, who has had to dump two ministers due to allegations of domestic violence, made the issue an election platform promising to bring in tough new laws to protect victims.

Previously psychological harm and intimidation were covered separately under vague criminal offences, which were difficult to prosecute.

"We've got to continue to underline the need for the community to remain vigilant on domestic violence," Mr Iemma said. "It is a serious offence in its own right and we've got to send that clear signal.

"In the past offenders were charged with a range of assaults if they committed an act of domestic violence. Under these new laws they'll have a permanent stain recorded against their name.

"It will be recorded on the database of NSW Police allowing them to keep track of repeat offenders and means courts can take the offence into consideration when sentencing."

NSW Women's Refuge Movement executive officer Catherine Gander said recent research showed psychological torment could be as destructive as physical abuse but, until now, had not been recognised legally as a domestic violence offence.

Domestic violence victim Bridget said psychological abuse often went hand-in-hand with physical violence.

"I was belittled, degraded - you see the damage immediately with physical violence but with psychological you carry it through for a lifetime" she said.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22919901-5006009,00.html

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