In Northern Ireland, the law has now changed making coercive and controlling behaviour an offence.
Controlling or coercive behaviour can include threats, humiliation, intimidation. It may be other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten the victim. This behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of freedom of action and/or regulating their everyday behaviour.
With thanks to funding from Belfast PCSP, the Belfast Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership has developed a short animation depicting some of the different forms of domestic abuse. Domestic Abuse is not always physical and can happen to anyone.
For anyone experiencing domestic abuse in any form, help is available. You can phone the 24 hour Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline on 0808 802 1414 or contact the PSNI (non emergency number 101 or in an emergency phone 999.)
An online tool can also be found here https://www.daart-ni.co.uk/#/ for professionals and anyone else with an interest in the issue. It’s an awareness-raising resource and serves as an introduction to abusive, controlling and coercive behaviours. The tool provides an overview of the main considerations when identifying and responding to domestic abuse, however it does not replace specialist domestic abuse training.
An overview of the new legislation can be found here 2 PAGE OVERVIEW OF DOMESTIC ABUSE OFFENCE
- Your local Women’s Aid group can be found here https://www.womensaidni.org/get-help/local-groups/
- Men’s Advisory Project http://www.mapni.co.uk/