Coercive Control became a crime in Ireland on January 1st 2019. This means that any incidents of Coercive Control since this date is a crime.
What is Coercive Control?
Under Section 39 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018, Coercive Control is set out as
1) where a person commits an offence where he/she knowingly and persistently engages in behaviour that
a) is controlling or coercive
b) has a serious effect on a relevant person
c) a reasonable person would consider likely to have a reasonable effect on a relevant person.
What does this mean?
Coercive Control is a persistent pattern of behaviours over an extended period. These behaviours are deliberate and used to cause fear and compliance. Behaviours include coercion, threats, stalking, controlling tactics and may include physical or sexual violence.
Do you feel that your world is smaller? Are there things you cannot do now that you did before meeting your partner?
How do you report it?
As Coercive Control is a crime, you must go to your local Garda station and report directly to a guard. The Guard should take a statement from you and then complete an investigation in to your allegations.
What are the possible outcomes?
- The guard may advise you to seek a Domestic Violence Order (please see factsheets)
- The guard may send a file to the DPP to decide if the person should be prosecuted
- A person who commits Coercive Control faces up to 5 years in prison or a fine or both