We’re delighted to be able to begin 2016 with this news. You may have seen over the festive period that, on the 29th December 2015, a new domestic abuse law came into force which enables the prosecution of domestic abusers who exert coercive control over survivors.
Charges can now be made in cases where there is evidence of repeated “controlling or coercive behaviour”, which could include a pattern of threats, humiliation, intimidation or financial abuse.
According to Home Office guidance, there are two key components to the offence.
Firstly, the controlling behaviour must be repeated or continuous in nature.
Secondly, a reasonable person must be able to recognise that the behaviour will have a “serious effect” on the individual experiencing it.
In practice, for survivors this means they must have either feared violence will be used against them on at least two occasions or have been caused serious alarm or distress which has a “substantial adverse effect” on their day-to-day activities.
This landmark change in the law is a welcome one, as it offers us a valuable opportunity to make survivors and potential survivors of coercive control safer.
Perpetrators found guilty of coercive control can now face up to five years in prison.
You can read about the new law and what it will mean for survivors and the justice system in more detail here.
If you are a woman experiencing domestic violence or abuse, you can call the following helplines as many times as you need to:
FREEPHONE Nottinghamshire 24 Hour Helpline 0808 8000 340
FREEPHONE 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 2000 247
If you are a man living in the County of Nottinghamshire and you are experiencing domestic abuse you can find guidance and support from Equation’s service for men on 0115 960 5556. The service is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-4.30pm. A confidential 24-hour answerphone service is available and we aim to respond to you within 2 working days.
If you are a man experiencing abuse from a male or female partner you can also call the national men’s advice line on 0808 801 0327. This service is available Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. A confidential 24 hour answerphone service is available at all other times.
If you are experiencing violence or abuse in a same-sex relationship you can call Broken Rainbow for support on 0300 999 5428. The line is open Monday & Thursday 10am – 8pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am-5pm, and Friday 1pm-5pm.