The government has announced a new law to better protect domestic abuse victims who do not live with their abusers from threats and intimidation.
The controlling or coercive behaviour offence will now extend to cover victims who do not live with the person abusing them. Love Island star Malin Andersson helped launch the new guidelines and said, 'As a survivor of abuse, it's so important to me that the government is taking action to tackle coercive or controlling behaviour, because it's not spoken about enough.
'The psychological trauma of being in an abusive relationship can make victims feel very isolated. This new guidance will help those people to know just what coercive or controlling behaviour is and to come forward and report it.'
In September 2020, Malin's ex-boyfriend Tom Kemp, 28, was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court after admitting to actual bodily harm, which left the reality star 'black and blue'. He was released three months later.
In 2015, controlling and coercive behaviour was introduced as a criminal offence in the Serious Crime Act 2015 and can include economic, emotional or psychological abuse and threats alongside physical or sexual violence.
51% of murder cases looked at in an independent review published last month involved controlling or coercive behaviour.
The government has now ruled that abuse can continue or worsen after victims separate from an abusive partner, as the perpetrator wants to keep control over their victim.
Guidance put together by charities, police, legal experts and domestic abuse victims will help identify offences and aid police and other agencies in understanding how to gather evidence. It will also provide clearer advice to support victims and safely identify threats.
Safeguarding minister Sarah Dines said, 'Controlling or coercive behaviour is an abhorrent crime that I am determined to tackle. Victims' safety is paramount, and this updated guidance will offer wider protection to victims and will support the police to bring more perpetrators to justice.'