Coercive Control carries a maximum sentence of 5 years, a fine or both.

Coercion in the eyes of the law is where a person is purposefully domineering towards a partner or their children. The new offence acknowledges what abuse victims have been telling us for decades; that having their independence and other basic rights and liberties controlled is a form of domestic abuse.

This new legislation is significant as it criminalises many other forms of domestic abuse, which have been historically difficult to evidence.

Coercive control could look like:

• Unreasonable and non-negotiable demands
• Stalking – surveillance and unwanted contact
• Cruelty
• Destroying the partners other relationships and isolating her/him from friends, family members, co-workers and others
• Restricting daily activities
• Combination of demands, threats of negative consequences
• Manipulation through minimisation, denial, lies, promises, etc
• Threats and intimidation
• Excuses, rationalisations and blame.
• Stifling the partner’s independence
• Controlling partner’s access to information and services
• Financial control and exploitation
• Demanding obedience
• Treating their partner and children as objects
• Extreme jealousy, possessiveness and ridiculous accusations of cheating
• Punishing the partner and children for breaking one of their rules
• Ignoring their partner’s needs, opinions and feelings, and the harm that their behaviour does to her/him

If you are concerned you about coercive control, talk to the friendly team in confidence at Pepperells.