COERCIVE
BEHAVIOUR & ABUSE
Controlling and abusive behaviour escalates slowly. One of the features of mind control is manipulation. The abuser gradually begins to try and gain control. They attempt to lower their victims self esteem and isolate them from others. They aim to induce emotional and practical dependence. Be careful if you hear any of the following statements:
Do any of these sound familiar?
You would be alone without me
No one will ever want you but me
Your family don’t love you like I do
You would have no friends without me
No one loves you but me
No one else cares
No one else likes you anyway
You can’t survive without me
I’ll get you if you leave
Each time someone hurts you it is like another rock weighing you down. It is a continuing pattern of abuse.
Say stop every time and correct their behaviour. If their controlling and abusive behaviour cannot be dealt with then consider leaving.
No one deserves constant abuse.
What is coercive behaviour?
In UK law, Controlling or Coercive Behaviour (CCB), defined under the Serious Crime Act 2015, is a criminal offense involving a pattern of acts (like threats, humiliation, isolation, intimidation) to make a partner subordinate, making them fear violence or causing serious alarm/distress affecting daily life, with potential penalties up to 5 years imprisonment, making it a serious form of domestic abuse.
Key Aspects in UK Law
- Definition: A course of conduct (not a single incident) designed to make someone subordinate and/or dependent, stripping their independence, and regulating their life.
- Examples of Controlling Behaviour: Isolating from support, exploiting resources, monitoring movements, controlling finances, dictating appearance, threatening to harm pets or release private images.
- Examples of Coercive Behaviour: Assaults, threats, humiliation, intimidation, or other abuse used to harm, punish, or frighten.
- Legal Threshold: The behaviour must have a “serious effect” on the victim, meaning they fear violence on at least two occasions, or it causes serious alarm/distress with a substantial adverse effect on their day-to-day activities (e.g., changing routines, social life, health).
- Criminal Offence: It’s prosecuted under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 and carries a maximum sentence of five years, a fine, or both.
- Cumulative Impact: Prosecutors focus on the overall impact of the pattern of abuse, not just single events.
Written with Google AI
How Coercive Differs from Other Abuse
Unlike single-incident crimes (like a specific assault), CCB is a “course of conduct” offence, meaning it’s the repeated pattern of actions over time that constitutes the crime, highlighting severe psychological harm. This harm is ongoing until challenged,
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