Image: Boston Library In March of this year the definition of domestic abuse was changed to include the term 'coercive control', this was added to the domestic abuse definition of "any incident of threatening behaviour, or abuse between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality". Now a campaign is under way to pilot a bill through parliament making emotional blackmail a crime. The new draft bill proposes making it illegal to "make contact with a victim in an aggressive way" and to "intend to control or coerce" your partner.
Such a crime will carry the penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment. It is another step towards not just acknowledging the damage domestic abuse can cause but helping victims define what is happening to them and realise their partner's behaviour is not usual in a healthy relationship.
Such a crime will carry the penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment. It is another step towards not just acknowledging the damage domestic abuse can cause but helping victims define what is happening to them and realise their partner's behaviour is not usual in a healthy relationship.
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