What is coercive or controlling behaviour within a relationship?

Some signs of coercive control are listed below (in no particular order):

• Financial abuse – controlling and monitoring what you spend by taking away your money or restricting the money that you have or are given
• Monitoring who you see, when you see them, where you go, what you wear, removing the autonomy you have to see your friends or family
• Threatening you or your loved ones with violence if you do not behave a certain way
• Lowering your self-esteem and making you feel rubbish about yourself
• Your partner monitoring your social media accounts and controlling the content
• Your partner demanding your passwords to social media accounts and your devices

Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 created a new offence for Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate or Family Relationship. A person found guilty of coercive or controlling behaviour will be liable as follows on conviction:

1. Summary Offence (dealt with in the Magistrates Court) – imprisonment term not exceeding 6 months, or a fine, or both.
2. Indictable Offence (dealt with in the Crown Court) – imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or a fine, or both.