The law has finally changed to make psychological abuse within a relationship illegal.
The offence of coercive control now knows that domestic abuse can take lots of different forms and is not limited to just physical violence.
These new laws have now been enforced in England and Wales, and within the amendment, the following 10 acts towards a partner are now illegal.
Putting tracking devices on your phone
It is now illegal to “monitor a person using online communication tools or spyware” without their permission.
Restricting access to finances
Even if they earn more money than you, a new law has come in that they cannot restrict the access to finances.
Putting you down
Constant name-calling and mocking is now a form of domestic abuse.
Sharing sexually explicit images of a partner
Revenge porn has always been rife on the internet and with smartphones in everybody’s pockets sharing sexually explicit images of a partner is now illegal.
Scaring you
Your partner may not physically hurt you, but if they are doing anything that may frighten you, they are breaking the law. This could be using their size to intimidate you or simply throwing things around the house.
Controlling what you wear
Controlling any part of your life is highlighted in the new legislation, including restricting who they see or where they go. Even controlling what they wear could see them being prosecuted under the new law changes.
Stopping a partner from seeing friends or family
Blocking or monitoring of phone calls and emails and restricting contact with other people, whether it be friends or relatives is now against the law. If your partner isolates you from other people, then they will be breaking the law.
Forcing you to obey their rules
If a partner is forced to abide by a tight set of rules set by the other partner, it could mean they are committing a crime.
Being extremely jealous
constantly accusing your partner of cheating or “extreme jealousy, including possessiveness and ridiculous accusations of cheating” all now come under the new legislation.
Threatening to reveal private things about you
Threatening to reveal information about you on private matters whether it be a sexual orientation or other health problems is now seen as domestic abuse.
