New coercive control laws welcomed by Wiltshire abuse charity
The crime will now be judged at the same level as other forms of abuse
Last updated 4th Feb 2025
A Wiltshire charity's welcomed new laws that mean coercive and controlling behaviour can be punished on the same level as other forms of abuse.
From this week, people convicted of coercive control can be punished at the same level as physical harm in England and Wales.
It's been hailed as a major step forward by domestic abuse support charity, FearFree.
Their Head of Services, Gemma Vinton, told us it's a form of abuse that impacts a victims entire life.
"The impact that controlling coercive behaviour can have on a victim is absolutely massive," she said, explaining that it is easily underestimated by someone who's not been through it.
Gemma explained the 'all-encompassing' nature of the crime, with perpetrators controlling their victims finances, clothing, where they go, who they see, when they can use a phone, and when they can drive.
She added: "This is something that perpetrators will do and they will do consistently and on almost strategically to belittle and undermine the person that they're doing it to.
"It's a massive thing that actually this is put on a par with some of those other types of domestic offending.
"It's a really, really significant crime that actually people may not even realise that they're being subject to until they manage to perhaps generate that little bit of separation and look at what's going on in their lives and in their relationship."
Gemma told us that survivors of abuse that she has worked with have told her coercive and controlling behaviour had more of an impact on them than other forms of abuse they were suffering.
"It's almost less predictable and certainly less obvious to other people looking in," Gemma said, adding that the control leads to outsiders judging the person suffering, questioning them for why they might be cancelling on them or not taking part in things they used to do, without realising the strings being pulled by the perpetrator.
Gemma told us it can be tough for people to realise that they are in a relationship that is unhealthy, but insists help is on hand.
She advises calling the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or reaching out to FearFree for support.
The charity also offers help to those who are questioning their own behaviour.