The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognised that domestic abuse can take many different forms and is not limited to physical violence. The act defined behaviour as being abusive if it consisted of physical violence, threatening behaviour, economic abuse, psychological and emotional abuse and controlling or coercive behaviour. A victim of domestic abuse can be subjected to several different forms of abuse over a prolonged period of time, and if coercive control is one of these, our experienced family law solicitors at Ison Harrison can help you recognise this and can support you in resolving the situation for you and your loved ones.

For help and advice call us on 0113 284 5000 or alternatively email family@isonharrison.co.uk

How is coercive control defined?

A person who demonstrates coercive behaviour in a relationship is attempting to control all elements of their partner’s life and to isolate them from elements the perpetrator can’t control, such as friends and family. In the eyes of the law, coercive control is not a single act, but rather a series of individual acts and a pattern of behaviour which can be recognised as abusive. This means it can be difficult for a victim to initially identify these signs and to recognise that they are a form of abuse.

How to identify signs of controlling and coercive behaviour

There are multiple ways in which a perpetrator will inflict coercive control on a victim, these most commonly include:

  • Isolation – Preventing a victim from spending time with friends, family and their normal social network, such as having to give up hobbies or interests.
  • Finances – Controlling and removing access to finances to restrict independence and increase dependency.
  • Language – Dehumanising the victim and making them feel worthless, with jokes, abuse and comments which play on their insecurities. This includes inflicting reputational damage, and also belittling the victim in front of peers and their children.
  • Surveillance – Stalking the victim and monitoring their movements, both physically and online.
  • Threats – Making threats of physical violence.
  • Gaslighting – Using psychological techniques to make the victim question themselves and to doubt their own memory, and their own grip on reality.

How to deal with coercive control in a relationship

Coercive control is a very complex area of the law, and a major factor in dealing with it is gathering clear evidence that demonstrates a pattern of controlling and manipulative behaviour that can be classed as coercive. If you have been the victim of coercive control you should:

  • Contact an experienced family law solicitors such as Ison Harrison.
  • We can offer advice and support on how to remove yourself from this situation and this relationship, including what protective orders you can put in place for you and your children, and how you can initiate divorce and separation, where appropriate.
  • We can also advise on how to carefully manage the situation and how you should address it, accepting that this can be delicate and complex in most cases.
  • Log – Maintain a log of incidents which you consider to be controlling and abusive. This should include dates, times and the type of behaviour, and also what the impact of this behaviour was, ie. how it made you or your children feel.
  • Statements – You should also gather evidence from friends, family and neighbours who have witnessed this type of behaviour and how it has impacted on you or your children.
  • Professional support – We can put you in touch with professional bodies and support networks where you can share your experiences, speak with people who have been through the same thing and seek health and wellbeing support.

Trusted family law solicitors in Leeds and Yorkshire

At Ison Harrison we have vast experience of dealing with the many forms of domestic abuse, including coercive control. We are able to recognise the signs of controlling behaviour and how this manifests itself and impacts on you. We have sympathetic and empathetic family law solicitors who can help you escape this situation safely and rebuild your life to provide a progressive future for you and your loved ones.

If you or someone you know is experiencing coercive control and needs help and support with domestic abuse, contact our team today on 0113 284 5000 or email family@isonharrison.co.uk