Advice for understanding coercive behaviour

From 29 December 2015, coercion and control in a relationship became a criminal offence, carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Coercive control describes a range or pattern of behaviours that enable a perpetrator to maintain or regain control of a partner, ex-partner or family member.

Examples of coercive control 

• Isolating you from your friends and family
• Controlling how much money you have and how you spend it
• Monitoring your activities and your movements
• Repeatedly putting you down, calling you names or telling you that you       are worthless
• Threatening to harm or kill you or your child
• Threatening to publish information about you or to report you to the police   or the authorities
• Damaging your property or household goods
• Forcing you to take part in criminal activity or child abuse

Your abuser will be guilty of the offence of coercive control if

1. They are personally connected to you
2. Their behaviour has had a serious effect on you
3. Your abuser knew or ought to have known that their behaviour would have a serious effect on you.