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<p>The Serious Crime Act 2015 introduced a new domestic abuse offence of coercive
or controlling behaviour in intimate and familial relationships. The statutory guidance
underpinning the offence is clear that financial abuse, such as controlling the victim’s
finances, is a type of behaviour that can form part of a purposeful pattern of behaviour
over time to exert power, control or coercion over another person.</p><p>In 2017-18
960 offences of coercive or controlling behaviour have been charged and reached a
first hearing, more than three times the volume in the previous year. This shows that
the offence is having an impact and sends a strong message that coercive or controlling
behaviour will not be tolerated.</p><p>On 21 January we published our landmark draft
Domestic Abuse Bill and consultation response which will transform the cross-Government
response to this devastating crime. The draft Bill includes provisions for a statutory
definition of domestic abuse, including economic abuse. Replacing ‘financial’ with
‘economic’ acknowledges how broad this form of abuse is and how many aspects of a
victim’s life it can affect, such as limiting their access to fundamental resources
such as money, food, transport, employment and housing. This will raise awareness
of the issue of economic abuse and also enable frontline professionals and the criminal
justice system to better understand, recognise and tackle it, so that victims can
be supported to achieve the economic stability that they need.</p><p>The draft Bill
is underpinned by a comprehensive package of non-legislative action which we have
set out in our consultation response, including a commitment to review the effectiveness
of the coercive or controlling behaviour offence to ensure it is fit for purpose and
that it adequately protects victims from abuse. In addition, we have committed to
update the statutory guidance and CPS legal guidance on the offence to include economic
abuse and provide guidance on how this form of abuse can manifest itself as part of
a pattern of coercive control</p><p> </p>
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