Domestic abuse does not always involve physical violence.
Coercive and Controlling Behaviour abuse is an umbrella term that encompasses an array of different tactics described as an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.
All tactics work together to create isolation, compliance and entrapment, limiting a person's human rights by isolating them and depriving them of their liberty and ability for action. It is a criminal offence under the Serious Crime Act 2015.
Women are far more likely than men to be the victims of coercive controlling behaviour abuse that involves ongoing degradation and frightening threats – two key elements of coercive control.
Coercive control isn’t always obvious. And it doesn’t necessarily stop when a relationship ends.
Some common CCB tactics:
Making threats or intimidating you
Humiliating, degrading or dehumanising you
Depriving you of basic needs, such as food or sleep
Monitoring your time
Controlling your finances
Monitoring you via online communication tools or spyware
Taking control over aspects of your everyday life, such as where you can go, who you can see, what you can wear and when you can sleep
Depriving you of access to support services, such as medical services
Repeatedly putting you down, such as saying you’re worthless