At the end of August, I wrote about a proposed change to the law regarding domestic abuse. The consultation on this issue closed recently, proposing that a new prosecutable offence of “coercive and controlling behaviour” be introduced to allow victims of non-violent domestic abuse to pursue a conviction.
This proposal has received backing in an official submission by the ManKind Initiative. Having being given the opportunity to speak at their national conference last year, I am fully aware of the great work they do as a national charity providing help, advice and support to male victims of domestic abuse. The charity believes that the proposed changes will be beneficial to male victims, who are often victims of coercion and controlling behaviour rather than physical violence.
The charity also believes that the changes may result in the threat of denying contact with children and the threat of false allegations being recognised as a form of coercive and controlling behaviour.
Whilst strongly backing the proposals, the charity also stressed the importance of correctly drafting all official guidance and criteria to police and the justice system on the change of law. They state that the guidance needs to be unequivocal in setting out that it applies to both female and male victims.
To view the consultation document in relation to the proposed changes, click here
For more information about the current law for victims of domestic violence, click here