Criminal law and coercive control
The offence of “Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship”
In England and Wales, the offence of coercive and controlling behaviour under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 has four elements that must all be proven:
Repeated or continuous controlling or coercive behaviour,
The two people are “personally connected” (partners, family members, or people who share a child),
A “serious effect” on the victim, meaning either fear of violence on at least two occasions, or serious alarm or distress that substantially affects their day-to-day life, and
The perpetrator must know, or reasonably be expected to know, that their behaviour would have that effect.
Repeated or continued behaviour
The CPS guidance makes clear that a pattern of coercive or controlling behaviour can be well established before a single incident is reported. In many cases the conduct might seem innocent – especially if considered in isolation of other incidents – and the victim may not be aware of, or be ready to acknowledge, abusive behaviour. The consideration of the cumulative impact of the behaviour, and the pattern of behaviour within the context of the relationship, are crucial. prosecutors should assess effectively whether a pattern of behaviour amounts to fear that violence will be carried out, or serious alarm or distress leading to a substantial adverse effect on usual day-to-day activities.
Building on examples within the Statutory Guidance Framework, the CPS guidance says that relevant behaviour of the suspect can include the following:
isolating a person from their friends and family
depriving them of their basic needs
monitoring their time
monitoring a person via online communication tools or using spyware
using digital systems such as smart devices or social media to coerce, control, or upset the victim including posting triggering material
taking control over aspects of their everyday life, such as where they can go, who they can see, what to wear and when they can sleep – this can be intertwined with the suspect saying it is in their best interests, and ‘rewarding’ ‘good behaviour’ e.g. with gifts
depriving them of access to support services, such as specialist support or medical services
repeatedly putting them down such as telling them they are worthless
enforcing rules and activity which humiliate, degrade or dehumanise the victim
forcing the victim to take part in criminal activity such as shoplifting, neglect or abuse of children to encourage self-blame and prevent disclosure to authorities
economic abuse including coerced debt, controlling spending/bank accounts/investments/mortgages/benefit payments
controlling the ability to go to school or place of study
taking wages, benefits or allowances
threatening to hurt or kill
threatening to harm a child
threatening to reveal or publish private information
threatening to hurt or physically harming a family pet
assault
physical intimidation e.g. blocking doors, clenching or shaking fists
criminal damage (such as destruction of household goods)
preventing a person from having access to transport or from working
preventing a person from learning or using a language or making friends outside of their ethnic or cultural background
family ‘dishonour’
reputational damage
sexual assault or threats of sexual assault
reproductive coercion, including restricting a victim’s access to birth control, refusing to use a birth control method, forced pregnancy, forcing a victim to get an abortion, to undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or other procedure, or denying access to such a procedure
using substances such as alcohol or drugs to control a victim through dependency, or controlling their access to substances
disclosure of sexual orientation
disclosure of HIV status or other medical condition without consent
limiting access to family, friends and finances
withholding and/or destruction of the victim’s immigration documents, e.g. passports and visas
threatening to place the victim in an institution against the victim’s will, e.g. care home, supported living facility, mental health facility, etc (particularly for disabled or elderly victims
This is not an exhaustive list. A perpetrator will often tailor the conduct to the victim, and this conduct is different for each person. The behaviour needs to be seen in relation to the person who is said to be being controlled, to assess whether it amounts to controlling or coercive behaviour. There is an overlap with stalking and harassment.
In considering where the ‘appropriate’ dynamic of a relationship ends and where unlawful behaviour begins, the CPS guidance says that it is useful to look at The College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice on Domestic Abuse which sets out that: “In many relationships, there are occasions when one person makes a decision on behalf of another, or when one partner takes control of a situation and the other has to compromise. The difference in an abusive relationship is that decisions by a dominant partner can become rules that, when broken, lead to consequences for the victim.”
If you or another person have been the victim of this offence, contact your local police force (click this link for the contact details of your local police force). In an emergency, call 999.
Useful links
Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015: click here.
Government’s statutory guidance on controlling or coercive behaviour: click here.
CPS prosecution guidance on controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship: click here.
The College of Policing’s Authorised professional practice on domestic abuse: click here.
Sentencing Council guidelines on controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship: click here.
Other offences
Coercive control often occurs alongside other offences, which can be charged separately or together. These include stalking and harassment, assault, non-fatal strangulation, false imprisonment, rape and other sexual offences, and threats to kill. Where money is involved, theft or fraud may apply. For adults who lack capacity, ill-treatment or wilful neglect is a separate offence under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Forced marriage is also a crime. Prosecutors often combine these charges with controlling or coercive behaviour to reflect the full pattern of abuse.
Examples of cases
Daniel Johnson. This 53-year-old man was jailed for 27 months in June 2026 for controlling and coercive behaviour and perverting the course of justice. He isolated the victim from family and friends, took her money, and followed her in his car.
See Cheshire Police news item: https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news/cheshire/news/articles/2026/6/man-jailed-for-controlling-and-coercive-behaviour/
Richard Hayles (former boxer Richard Towers), pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour. He pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour towards his ex-partner and her child on the second day of his trial in September 2025. He controlled every aspect of the household, including food, sleep and daily routines. He was jailed for three years and three months, and received a 10-year restraining order. See BBC News, “Boxer jailed for emotional abuse of ex-partner”: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgqwwzxlk2o
George De Bathe. In 2025, he was convicted of rape and controlling or coercive behaviour of five women over four years. He took over their phones and social media and dictated what they wore, ate and who they saw. He was sentenced to 17 years with a five-year extended licence. See CPS news item: https://www.cps.gov.uk/south-east/news/man-jailed-rape-and-controlling-and-coercive-behaviour
Antonio Villafane. In November 2025, he was convicted of six offences, including Controlling or Coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship from December to July 2022 which included repeated threats, punching the victim, burning her with a poker, attempting to drown her, controlling her contact with family, forcing her to work on the land, requiring her to wear a burqa to hide injuries, beating her with a walking stick and transferring £250,000 into his bank account. He was sentenced to eight years with an indefinite restraining order. See CPS news item: https://www.cps.gov.uk/node/27800.
Sarah Rigby. A woman was convicted of controlling a male partner in May 2024. She denied the charges but pleaded guilty two days into her trial, and was sentenced to 20 months suspended for two years. See CPS news item: https://cps.gov.uk/node/24116 cps.