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.
The bill has been devised by criminal justice expert Harry Fletcher who commented that: "It is extraordinary that domestic abuse is not a criminal offence in the UK...Police and the Crown Prosecution Service tend to deal with the matter before them and no often long term courses of repetitive abusive behaviour...The Bill will make domestic abuse an offence with a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison...It will be the first time that an attempt will be made to criminalise a course of domestic abuse in this country...The measure would increase victim confidence to report the crime, lead to more thorough investigations and convictions, and help keep women safe."
| Another supporter of the proposed bill is Plaid Cymru MP Elfyn Llwyd: "It is high time that the criminal law was amended so that domestic abuse was made a criminal offence in its own right - that is why I will be introducing this as a Bill early in the new year." | The addition...helps not just the victim but potential supporters recognise this behaviour as abuse. |
Currently the draft of the bill requires a minimum of two incidents of violence, threats or action causing their spouse to fear for their safety to allow police to bring criminal charges. The abuse is defined as "controlling or coercive behaviour" that would "encompass but is not limited to physical, financial, sexual, psychological or emotional abuse." This includes when a partner means to make their spouse subordinate and exploit their resources or deprive them of the means required for independence. It is designed to protect any gender.
The necessity of such definitions is vital in order for clarity on all sides when it comes to domestic abuse. In 2011 when the government launched aconsultation on the definition of domestic violence Sarah Montague interviewed a woman on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme who had been a victim of both domestic violence and then abuse.
Vicky, a survivor of domestic violence and abuse explained that she had not left the abusive relationship because it was hard for her and her family to recognise it was abusive when the abuse was not physical. When discussing her relationship Vicky told Montague that people had said "at least he's not putting you in hospital." She added that "It is important that women understand this is abuse...you don't have to be hit...to be abused."
Diana Barran, chief executive of Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse said on the same programme that: "People are completely controlled in all of their daily activities, prevented from taking their medication, prevented from seeing any friends, controlled what they wear, who they talk to, literally on every single level, and sometimes almost kept kidnapped in their home."
The addition of emotional blackmail and coercive control helps not just the victim but potential supporters recognise this behaviour as abuse. This bill could be the beginning of a safer 2014 for many people.
Squeamish Kate
The necessity of such definitions is vital in order for clarity on all sides when it comes to domestic abuse. In 2011 when the government launched aconsultation on the definition of domestic violence Sarah Montague interviewed a woman on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme who had been a victim of both domestic violence and then abuse.
Vicky, a survivor of domestic violence and abuse explained that she had not left the abusive relationship because it was hard for her and her family to recognise it was abusive when the abuse was not physical. When discussing her relationship Vicky told Montague that people had said "at least he's not putting you in hospital." She added that "It is important that women understand this is abuse...you don't have to be hit...to be abused."
Diana Barran, chief executive of Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse said on the same programme that: "People are completely controlled in all of their daily activities, prevented from taking their medication, prevented from seeing any friends, controlled what they wear, who they talk to, literally on every single level, and sometimes almost kept kidnapped in their home."
The addition of emotional blackmail and coercive control helps not just the victim but potential supporters recognise this behaviour as abuse. This bill could be the beginning of a safer 2014 for many people.
Squeamish Kate
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