Home / Crime and Justice / Coercive Control: 10 Years On, Is Enough Being Done?
Coercive Control: 10 Years On, Is Enough Being Done?
16 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Coercive control became a criminal offence a decade ago in England and Wales.
- Experts urge more government action to support victims and encourage reporting.
- A pattern of abuse, coercive control is strongly linked to homicide cases.
Ten years have passed since coercive control was criminalized in England and Wales. World-leading experts are now urging the government to enhance preventative measures, bolster victim support, and encourage individuals to seek help. Coercive control is described as a deliberate pattern of assault, humiliation, and intimidation designed to harm victims, with a clear connection to fatal outcomes.
Despite police recording tens of thousands of coercive control cases each year, convictions for domestic abuse remain low. This discourages survivors from coming forward. Experts emphasize that abuse often manifests subtly through manipulation and isolation, making it less understood than physical violence but equally traumatic. Survivors can be trapped by eroding their autonomy and limiting their choices.
The article shares Richa Raval's personal journey, detailing her experiences with coercive control from a young age and in adult relationships. After overcoming psychological trauma and manipulation, she founded Walnut, a platform dedicated to teaching healthy relationship skills. She now lives a stable life, emphasizing the importance of breaking harmful cycles.
