A new law enacted in England and Wales starting December 29 safeguards victims of domestic abuse by punishing emotionally and psychologically abusive spouses, partners, and family members, who may face up to five years of jail time for their crime. The new law is a part of the UK's Serious Crime Act under "Domestic abuse". It is titled, "Controlling or coercive behavior in an intimate or family relationship.
The law targets individuals who subject their spouses, partners, and family members to emotional and psychological torment, but stops short of physical violence. Charges can be pressed if the victim can present evidence of repeated "controlling or coercive behavior".
According to The Telegraph, "controlling behavior" covers a number of actions designed to make another person helplessly dependent or compliant. "Coercive behavior" is defined as a continuing act or various acts used to harm, punish, or threaten a victim intentionally. Magistrates or crown courts will preside over the cases and can mete out a maximum of five years' sentence in prison to the violator. In order for the offense to stick, it must be established that the alleged criminal behaviors of the accused have caused a "serious effect" on the victim, which led them to believe that violence will be used against them, or caused "substantial adverse effect" in their daily routines.
According to the BBC, director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders says that coercive or controlling behavior is an offense against an individual's basic human rights, and limits one's independence and freedom of movement. These behaviors are especially harmful in a relationship where one person exercises more power over the other even if at the outside they seem to share a loving, healthy relationship.
Many victims of emotional and psychological abuse confirm that the trauma from that kind of abuse can have a deeper, lasting impact than physical abuse. In most cases, a victim's emotional and psychological state is shattered by the abuser with repeated humiliation, threats of violence, verbal insults, and saying the abused person is "worthless". Shireen Jamil, a campaigner for the legislation who worked hard and was instrumental in its passing, says "Long after the wounds fade, those left behind by coercive control sometimes never heal." Jamil, a 60-year-old mother of two, suffered severe head trauma while in an abusive marriage.
The government announced the creation of the new law after it was found out in a survey that 85% of the respondents shared the same opinion that the existing laws in the UK weren't enough to provide protection to victims of domestic abuse. This was supported by the Citizens Advice Group, who revealed a 24% rise in individuals seeking advice for domestic abuse cases.
As part of upholding the law, the police and prosecutors are being trained to recognize patterns of abusive behavior that merit an offense. Polly Neate of the Women's Aid group pronounced this as a "landmark moment" in effectively addressing domestic abuse.
