A statewide campaign has been launched calling for the introduction of Caitlin's Law, a legislative reform that would prevent perpetrators of intimate partner violence from automatically becoming the senior next of kin when their partner dies without a will.
The campaign is named in honour of Caitlin Rose Thornton, whose death brought to light a critical loophole in NSW law that allows a violent partner-regardless of ongoing investigations or history of abuse
Under current NSW legislation, a spouse or de facto partner is automatically granted next-of-kin rights.
This includes controlling funeral arrangements, accessing personal belongings, communicating with authorities, and influencing coronial processes, even if they have a known or suspected history of violence toward the deceased.
Advocates argue that this legal presumption endangers families, risks compromising investigations, and retraumatises those already experiencing profound loss.
Quote from campaign spokesperson
"Caitlin's Law is about restoring dignity, safety and justice. No perpetrator of violence should ever hold legal authority over their victim-especially not in death.
Caitlin's story has revealed a devastating flaw in our system, and we are determined that no other family will go through what hers has endured. This reform is common sense, and it is urgently needed."
Background and call to action
- In NSW, the senior next of kin is automatically the deceased person's spouse or de facto partner when no will exists.
There is currently no legal mechanism allowing authorities to suspend or redirect next-of-kin rights when there is a history of intimate partner violence.
Families can be blocked from funeral arrangements,
accessing belongings, or receiving information about investigations.
Similar protections exist in other jurisdictions internationally, but NSW law has not been updated to reflect domestic violence realities, despite rising rates of coercive control and IPV-related deaths.
Caitlin's Law aims to align NSW legal processes with community expectations and victim-safety standards.
Call to Action:
The campaign urges the NSW Government to take immediate legislative action to introduce Caitlin's Law before further families are impacted by this preventable injustice.
Create Your Own Website With Webador