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Changes to help victims of controlling behaviour.

Family law.

The Home Secretary had announced new laws to help victims of psychological and emotional abuse by partners or family members.

It is hoped that the introduction of a maximum custodial sentence of five years and a fine will protect those subjected to abuse.

The type of behaviour that is covered by the new law can be the control of another person by an abuser in stopping them having friends, restricting financial access, and abusers that manage what the victim can and can't do in their everyday life.

Whilst many crimes of this nature also include physical violence, some don't and it is this new law that will help bring about prosecutions.

The new law has been introduced following the findings of a consultation on domestic abuse, which highlighted that 85% of respondents felt the existing laws did not afford sufficient protection.

Controlling behaviour was tantamount to imprisonment, slavery and torture with prolonged abuse found to escalate over time and in many cases resulting in complete control.

It's important that in any case of domestic abuse the victim knows that they will be safe and receive support if they take action against their abuser, some say that the existing domestic laws were sufficient and it was guidance for the authorities that was needed, but we feel that these new laws help to bring clarity. It is still the case that victims of such acts are not as aware as they could be to the protection available to them so the new laws and the publicity they receive will help and they also send a very clear message; that domestic abuse will not be tolerated, whatever form it takes.

It seems, at times, the problem lies with the guidance and training given to the authorities with a recent report finding that only 8 out of 43 police forces were dealing with domestic abuse adequately, whether the old laws were adequate or not, they failed the abused, will the new laws help? We hope so, but the importance of the implementation cannot be underestimated.

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