Controlling and Coercive Behaviour
Controlling and coercive behaviours are a form of domestic abuse.
Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape, and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, frighten, isolate or create dependence.
Economic / Financial Abuse
- Exploiting your financial means or controlling your access to money, economic abuse limits your freedom and ability to participate in society.
- Economic abuse explained - video
- See the Report and Support Finance Abuse / Scams page.
Emotional Abuse
- Jealousy, checking up on you all the time and controlling what you wear, who you see and where you go, are all warning signs of emotional abuse.
- Emotional abuse explained - video
Gaslighting
- Manipulating you, your environment and making you doubt yourself allows gaslighters to gain control.
- Gaslighting explained - video
Physical Abuse
- Physical abuse is often the most visible form of domestic abuse. It can include hitting, punching or spitting at you.
- Physical abuse explained - video
Post-separation Abuse
- Domestic abuse can continue after a relationship has ended, including stalking or repeated control through the family courts.
- Post-separation abuse explained - video
Revenge Porn
- Revenge porn describes the distribution of intimate or sexual images or film to cause distress.
- Revenge porn explained - video
- See the Report and Support Image-based Abuse page.
Sexual Abuse
- Any non-consensual sexual contact perpetrated by someone you are in a relationship with, or used to be in a relationship with, is sexual abuse.
- Sexual abuse explained - video
- See the Report and Support Sexual Violence pages.
Stalking
- Unwanted gifts, turning up in unexpected places, loitering, sending unwanted messages, are all signs of stalking behaviours and should be taken seriously.
- Stalking explained - video
- See the Report and Support Stalking page.
Tech Abuse
- The technology we rely on is increasingly being abused to monitor and control.
- Tech abuse explained - video
- See the Report and Support Online/ Digital Harm page.
Forced Marriage
Forced marriage is when you are married against your will or where you are bullied or threatened into agreeing to marry. The Government describes it as “a marriage in which one or both spouses do not (or, in the case of some adults with learning or physical disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and duress is involved. Duress can include physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure”.
Forced marriage is different from an arranged marriage. In an arranged marriage your family takes a lead in introducing your future husband or wife, but you choose whether or not you want to marry them.
If your family is forcing you into a marriage that you don’t want, and are prepared to threaten or hurt you, then this is sometimes called ‘honour’-based violence.
So-called 'Honour'-based Abuse
See the Report and Support So-called 'Honour'-based Abuse page.