Controlling or Coercive Behaviour

Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Coercive control creates invisible chains and a sense of fear that pervades all elements of a survivor’s life.

This controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour. 

Coercive control was made a criminal offence in 2015.  It is defined in statutory guidance as “an intentional pattern of behaviour which takes place over time, in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another (Home Office, 2023). 

Some common examples of coercive behaviour are:

• Isolating you from friends and family 
• Depriving you of basic needs, such as food 
• Monitoring your time 
• Monitoring you via online communication tools or spyware 
• Taking control over aspects of your everyday life, such as where you can go, who you can see, what you can wear and when you can sleep -
• Depriving you access to support services, such as medical services 
• Repeatedly putting you down, such as saying you’re worthless 
• Humiliating, degrading or dehumanising you 
• Controlling your finances 
• Making threats or intimidating you.