This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/new-law-against-controlling-behavior-takes-effect-in-uk/2015/12/29/d3540c94-ae0b-11e5-b281-43c0b56f61fa_story.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New law against ‘controlling’ behavior takes effect in UK ‘Controlling’ behavior to be illegal in England, Wales
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — Physical violence will no longer be needed to prosecute someone for abusing their partners or family members in Britain. LONDON — Physical violence will no longer be needed to prosecute someone for abusing their partners or family members in England and Wales.
A law taking effect Tuesday will make it a crime to use repeated threats, humiliation and intimidation to control people.A law taking effect Tuesday will make it a crime to use repeated threats, humiliation and intimidation to control people.
It will mean that “coercive or controlling” behavior can be seen as domestic abuse and can be prosecuted as a crime. It will mean that “coercive or controlling” behavior can be seen as domestic abuse and can be prosecuted as a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Authorities say stopping someone from socializing, controlling their social media access or using apps to put them under surveillance will in some cases be covered by the new legislation. Authorities say stopping someone from socializing, controlling their social media access or using apps to put them under surveillance will in some cases be covered by the new legislation. Making threats to publish personal information can also be viewed as a crime.
Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders says this type of behavior “can limit victims’ basic human rights.” Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders says this type of behavior “can limit victims’ basic human rights” by reducing their freedom of movement and their independence.
She said many victims say the trauma from psychological abuse is worse than the trauma of physical abuse. “This behavior can be incredibly harmful in an abusive relationship where one person holds more power than the other, even if on the face of it this behavior might seem playful, innocuous or loving,” she said. “Victims can be frightened of the repercussions of not abiding by someone else’s rules. Often they fear that violence will be used against them, or suffer from extreme psychological and emotional abuse.”
Many victims say the trauma from psychological abuse is worse than the trauma of physical abuse, Saunders said.
The new legislation was created after a majority of people consulted by the government said that existing laws on abuse did not offer sufficient protection. It is supposed to apply only in cases where the offending behavior is repeated or chronic.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.