The difference between a healthy relationship and one which is abusive is not always so easy to spot. This is particularly true when the lasting impact is not as visible as cuts and bruises - a lot of abuse is psychological and emotional in nature.
To be clear, mental abuse is just as damaging.
What is Coercive Control?
It is defined as an act or pattern of acts of assaults, threats, humiliation and intimidation that can be used to harm, punish or scare the victim.
Or also, a purposeful pattern of behaviour which can take place over time in order to exert power or control over another person.
This scenario is sadly, all too common
In March 2019 17,616 coercive control offences were recorded by the police.
1,177 of these were present in a family relationship where a prosecution commenced that same year.
In a study, it was found that 63% of coercive control cases featured physical violence.
Signs of this include:
Isolating you from friends and family
Depriving you of needs
Monitoring your time.
Monitoring communication you might have.
Controlling your everyday life, for example, your clothes and who you go and see.
Depriving you of medical services.
Controlling your money
Repeatedly degrading and humiliating you.
Is coercive control against the law?
Indeed, it is! On the 25th of December, it was introduced via the Serious Crime Act, which makes coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, where such behaviour has a serious effect on the victim, a criminal offence.
This is, however, a very new crime and largely misunderstood. Many people are in a relationship that is completely subject to coercive control and does not understand that it is a crime and that it needs to be reported when necessary.
In the same research, it is emphasised that a victim of coercive control can feel captive in a world with unrealistic ideas about reality. This leaves a victim feeling trapped with confusion and fear.
Toxic relationships often begin with love bombing, which influences a person’s emotions with demonstrations of attention and affection, which draws in the victim.
When the relationship has developed, gaslighting is used as a method of controlling the partner. This can relate to both male and female partners. This is the act of dominating the partner in a psychological prison, of which there is no clear escape option.
There are a number of legal actions that one can take to protect themselves and loved ones against the potentially devastating effects of the abuse.
Family lawyers are seeing ever-more cases of these kinds of cases, and are better versed in how to spot the issue and deal with it in a careful, sensitive manner. The very nature of coercive control tells you that it is not a good idea to dry and fight it alone.
People who suspect they are a victim of coercive control need to take steps to ensure that the partner doesn't know they are seeking legal advice, or they could be stopped. Once a meeting has been arranged, the north wales solicitors can advise them on obtaining an injunction, this is either an occupation order or non-molestation order. This can allow the victim to get the partner out of the house and even restrict them from coming within a certain distance.
A non-molestation order can be issued by the court and can prevent a victims partner or ex-partner from threatening or intimidating them or the child, it is most commonly used as an injunction. If the partner breaches the injunction it can mean arrest.
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