Criminal Offence Of 'Coercive Control' To Be Extended To NI

Coercive control is to become a criminal offence in Northern Ireland as Westminster extends the legislation to the region.

The crime, which includes psychological abuse and non-violent intimidation, has been illegal in England and Wales since 2015 but not in Northern Ireland.

Provisions to make it an offence in the absence of devolved government were to be included in a Domestic Abuse Bill in Parliament on Tuesday.

The PSNI report around 30,000 incidents of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland each year. Last year, officers responded to 31,682 reports- the highest number on record.

Independent MLA and former Minister for Justice Claire Sugden said coercive control is usually the reason why victims don't leave, and often signals the beginning of physical violence.

The east L'Derry representative commented: "My biggest regret of the Stormont collapse is not fulfilling my promise to get domestic abuse law onto statute while Minister.

"I promised to create a domestic abuse offence for Northern Ireland which would outlaw patterns of coercive control in domestic relationships.

"Despite political stalemate, I have continued to lobby and work with the Department of Justice alongside voluntary groups to encourage this offence be brought into law via Westminster in the absence of a functioning government in NI.

"We are the last regions of these islands where perpetrators can now be prosecuted for a coercive control offence."

While the ex-justice minister would prefer a functioning NI Executive create the law, she said the situation is long past the point of waiting for devolved government to uphold its responsibilities to citizens.

"The time was yesterday, but I'm pleased it's today," Ms Sugden added.

"I dedicate this outcome to survivors of domestic abuse. It's their honesty of horrific experiences and their strength telling their stories that will hopefully stop others becoming victims. They have started the journey of eradicating domestic abuse in Northern Ireland."

A Women's Aid group for Belfast and Lisburn welcomed the development which comes after years of campaigning to bring Northern Ireland's legislation in line with the rest of the UK.

Kelly Andrews, Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid CEO commented: "This form of psychological abuse has profound and long lasting impacts on women and children and as such, the severity should be demonstrated both in law and in sentencing. We hope that once enforced, this legislation will offer protection for victims and ensure that perpetrators will be held accountable.

"Although this is a welcome step forward, we still have a long way to go in terms of prevention and early intervention, to educate and raise awareness of coercive control and it's lasting impacts."



(JG/CM)