Domestic abusers who subject victims to controlling or coercive behaviour could face up to five years in jail under a new law which comes into force in England and Wales today.

The new legislation means that prosecutions can be taken forward if there is evidence of repeated, or continuous, controlling or coercive behaviour – but no physical abuse. The CPS says abuse in an intimate or family relationship can include a pattern of threats, humiliation and intimidation, or behaviour such as stopping a partner socialising, controlling their social media accounts, surveillance through apps and dictating what they wear. Controlling or coercive behaviour causes someone either: to fear at least twice that violence will be used against them, or it is serious alarm or distress which has a substantial effect on their usual day-to-day activities.

Read more from the BBC here

Find out about how Warwickshire tackles domestic abuse here