Coercive Control

Question 1

Define S76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015

Answer 1

A person commits the offence if:

A person (a) repeatedly or continuously engages in behaviour

towards another person (b) which is coercive or controlling

and

at the time of the behaviour, (a) and (b) are personally connected

and

the behaviour has a serious effect on (b)

and

(a) knows or ought to know that the behaviour will have a serious effect on (b)

Question 2

Explain Coercive Control

Answer 2

Coercive control is a term developed by Evan Stark to help us understand domestic abuse as more than just a fight. It is a pattern of behaviour which seeks to take away the victim’s liberty or freedom to strip away their sense of self. Not only is coercive control the most common context in which a woman is abused, it is also the most dangerous. - Stark 20