Coercive control

An open letter from Citizens Advice:

If you have been watching Coronation Street recently you will have seen a major new storyline unfolding between the characters of Geoff and Yasmin regarding something know as coercive control.

Coercive control became a criminal offence in 2015 and involves an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse by a perpetrator that is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim. Both men and women can be victims of coercive control. Although many people associate domestic abuse with physical violence, coercive control recognises the damaging impact of other forms of abuse in relationships as well. Some examples of this type of abuse include:

· Isolating you from friends and family

· Depriving you of basic needs, such as food

· Monitoring your time and activities

· Taking control over aspects of your everyday life, such as where you can go, who you can see, what you can wear and when you can sleep

· Repeatedly putting you down, such as saying ‘you’re worthless’

· Humiliating, degrading or dehumanising you

· Controlling your finances

· Making threats or using intimidation

Victims First supports victims of crime and abuse across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Last year they launched a campaign, called ‘Know this isn’t Love’, which focused on various aspects of emotional abuse and controlling behaviour. It is told by both men and women as well as from same sex relationships. It focuses on early warning signs of controlling behaviour and emotional abuse to help victims identify any potential signs within their own relationships and seek support. You can use their website to find local support and help, by using the service directory. Victims First last year surveyed victims of coercive control and some key findings include:

· A third of people who responded to the survey have been in more than one abusive relationship

· Half of the abusive relationships began when the victim was under the age of 25

· 45 per cent of people who responded to the survey were in the abusive relationship for more than 10 years

There are several other, direct ways to access support services. For instance, for women: Women’s Aid, or for men: ManKind Initiative. Domestic abuse, including coercive control, affects men as well as women, so the legislation is equally relevant to both.

Citizens Advice can also help: look online, phone, or drop into your local Citizens Advice office