Coercive and controlling behaviour becomes an offence

In last week's blog you'll remember that I mentioned that 'coercive behaviour' was not provided for in the changes to Legal Aid in April 2013.

Now this week a new domestic abuse offence for "coercive and controlling behaviour" within relationships has been announced by the home secretary.

Home Secretary Theresa May said domestic abuse by intimate partners or family members was a "hideous" crime that shattered lives and that she hoped the new law would protect victims from extreme psychological and emotional abuse.

The maximum penalty for the new offence in England and Wales will be five years in prison and a fine.

Coercive and controlling behaviour can include the abuser preventing their victim from having friendships or hobbies, refusing them access to money and determining many aspects of their everyday life, such as when they are allowed to eat, sleep and go to the toilet.  Evidence of such behaviour could be threatening emails and text messages, or bank statements that show the perpetrator sought to control the victim financially.

At the weekend I heard a phone-in where a woman said her husband didn't like Christmas and would not let her have a Christmas tree.  It's the word 'let' that is most telling here, and it does indicate a degree of control which should perhaps be worrying.

If you're concerned about yourself or a friend of yours, remember you can speak to myself or Sally Fitzherbert in our Family Law department.