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A new law aimed at recognising the devastating impact of domestic abuse has come into force.

But it doesn't just relate to violent and sexual assaults.

Now you or your partner can face criminal prosecution for psychological and mental abuse.

The new coercive control offence outlaws a number of harmful controlling behaviours which were not previously covered.

Police have explained how vital it is for victims of this offence to come forward.

What is coercive control?

(Image: PA)

A spokesman for Humberside Police told our sister site, Hull Live: "Coercive control is often difficult to escape, especially after the victim ends the relationship.

"Coercive control can happen over a long period of time and at first is usually fairly subtle.

"The abuser at this point will have usually used their powers of manipulation to control their partner, who is probably oblivious of the control they have over them.

"It is only when other people start to notice a change in you or you begin to question or panic if you are not home before a certain time that is when the alarm bells usually start to ring.

"From our experience, it is not uncommon for coercive control to continue or escalate at the point of separation, as the abuser feels the victim is escaping his or her control.

"This is why it is very important for victims to report their situation the police or a support network, so we can help you with safety plans, protection orders.

"If we are told about it, you will not have to deal with your partner's domestic abuse all by yourself."

The maximum sentence for someone found guilty of the offence is five years imprisonment.

What can your partner NOT do?

(Image: Laura Dodsworth)

Here, we take a look at the things which are now illegal for your partner to do.

1) Share sexually explicit images of you – either online or not

New laws surrounding 'revenge porn' make it against the law for someone to share intimate photographs of you with anyone, whether that is on or offline.

2) Restrict your access to money

Even if they are the breadwinner, the law says one partner cannot stop the other from accessing money and should not give them "punitive allowances".

Last year, domestic violence charity Refuge said it had seen cases where victims were forced to provide receipts for all spending, or given such small allowances that they couldn't afford to buy food for themselves and their children.

Doing this could be grounds for prosecution under the new legislation.

3) Repeatedly put you down

Constantly being insulted by your partner? You might not think this is domestic abuse, but the new law says this persistent name-calling, mocking and other insulting behaviour is illegal.

Alison Saunders, director of public prosecutions, said: "Being subjected to repeated humiliation, intimidation or subordination can be as harmful as physical abuse, with many victims stating that trauma from psychological abuse had a more lasting impact than physical abuse."

4) Stop you seeing friends or family

(Image: Laura Dodsworth)

If your partner continually isolates you from the people that love you, alarm bells should ring.

Whether it takes the form of monitoring or blocking your calls or emails, telling you where you can or cannot go, or stopping you seeing your friends or relatives, this behaviour is against the law.

5) Scare you

Maybe they don't physically assault you, but if they are doing enough to frighten you then they are committing an offence.

Women's Aid says this can include, but is not limited to, making angry gestures; using physical size to intimidate; shouting you down; destroying your possessions; breaking things; punching walls; wielding a knife or a gun; threatening to kill or harm you and the children; threatening to kill or harm family pets; threats of suicide.

6) Threaten to reveal private things about you

Whether it's saying they will tell people details about your health or sexual orientation, repeated threats to reveal personal and private information is a form of abuse.

7) Put tracking devices on your phone

(Image: PA)

The Crown Prosecution Service says it is illegal under the new legislation to 'monitor a person using online communication tools or spyware'.

So if they are spying on your Facebook messages, or insisting they track your devices, it is against the law.

8) Being extremely jealous

If your partner persistently accuses you of cheating simply for looking at another person, then this could be grounds for prosecution.

Humberside Police say 'extreme jealously, including possessiveness and ridiculous accusations of cheating' all come under the new legislation.

9) Make you obey their rules

(Image: Daily Record)

A relationship should be a partnership, with neither partner having control over the other. So if you are forced to abide by rules they set, it could well mean they are committing a crime.

The CPS says these include rules which "humiliate, degrade or dehumanise the victim", while Women's Aid says examples include telling you that you have no choice in decisions.

10) Control what you wear

Taking control over any part of your life is highlighted in the new legislation.

This includes who you can see and where you can go, but even controlling what you wear or how you look could now be grounds for prosecution.

11) Force you to do things you don't want to

It could be that your partner is forcing you to commit crimes, neglect or abuse your children, or simply forces you not to reveal anything about your relationship to the authorities – it all counts as abuse.

This also includes making you have sex when you don't want to, forcing you to look at pornographic material, or forcing you to have sex with others.

The CPS director of public prosecutions, Alison Saunders, said: "These new powers mean this behaviour, which is particularly relevant to cases of domestic abuse, can now be prosecuted in its own right.

"Police and prosecutors are being trained to recognise patterns of abusive behaviour which can be regarded as criminal abuse. We will do everything in our power to tackle this abhorrent crime."

You can report domestic abuse to Kent Police online or call them on 101. If you're in immediate danger call 999 immediately.