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