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| New domestic abuse law on controlling behaviour unveiled | New domestic abuse law on controlling behaviour unveiled |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A new domestic abuse offence for "coercive and controlling behaviour" within relationships has been announced by the home secretary. | A new domestic abuse offence for "coercive and controlling behaviour" within relationships has been announced by the home secretary. |
| Theresa May said domestic abuse by intimate partners or family members was a "hideous" crime that shattered lives. | Theresa May said domestic abuse by intimate partners or family members was a "hideous" crime that shattered lives. |
| She said she hoped the new law would protect victims from extreme psychological and emotional abuse. | She said she hoped the new law would protect victims from extreme psychological and emotional abuse. |
| The maximum penalty for the new offence in England and Wales will be five years in prison and a fine. | The maximum penalty for the new offence in England and Wales will be five years in prison and a fine. |
| Coercive and controlling behaviour can include the abuser preventing their victim from having friendships or hobbies, refusing them access to money and determining many aspects of their everyday life, such as when they are allowed to eat, sleep and go to the toilet. | Coercive and controlling behaviour can include the abuser preventing their victim from having friendships or hobbies, refusing them access to money and determining many aspects of their everyday life, such as when they are allowed to eat, sleep and go to the toilet. |
| Witness testimony could be supported at prosecution through a variety of ways, including documentary evidence of threatening emails and text messages, or bank statements that show the perpetrator sought to control the victim financially. | |
| 'Break free safely' | |
| The new offence comes after the government ran a consultation over the summer seeking views on whether the law on domestic abuse needed to be strengthened. | |
| The Home Office said that 85% of the participants in that consultation said the law did not provide sufficient protection to victims. | |
| Mrs May said: "Coercive control can be tantamount to torture. In many cases, dominance over the victim develops and escalates over the years until the perpetrator has complete control. Putting a foot wrong can result in violent outbursts, with victims living in fear for their lives." | |
| Polly Neate, chief executive of Women's Aid, said: "We hope this new law will lead to a real culture change, so that every woman experiencing control can get the support she needs to break free safely." | |
| There are a number of laws that already cover acts of violence, stalking and harassment - but none of them refer in their wording to personal relationships or the precise terms of the official definition of domestic abuse. | |
| Earlier in the year, a report criticised police forces in England and Wales for failing to deal with domestic abuse adequately. | |
| It found only eight out of 43 forces were dealing well with the issue. | |
| Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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