Coercive control abuse causes 'invisible lost lives'

Domestic abuse affected an estimated 2 million adults in England and Wales last year and while most people think of it as an act of violence, domestic abuse can be much more.

Often abuse can be subtle, making it difficult to identify and to recognise as wrong but those experiencing it are often left feeling belittled and isolated.

This type of abuse is known as Coercive control and since 2015 has become a criminal offence.

Today the Welsh Government has launched the 'This is not love, this is control' campaign to raise awareness and help educate people about the affect and dangers of coercive control.

Supporting the campaign is Luke Hart, whose father after inflicting years of control over the family, went on to murder his mother and sister in broad daylight in Spalding, Linconshire in July 2016.

While Lance Hart had had never been physically violent towards his family he had tried to control everything they did. He would not allow his wife Claire, to have a mobile phone or to access the web.

Luke describes his mother, Claire, as a kind and loving woman who never spoke of her pain and suffering at the hands of the mental abuse she suffered.

However, he says that along with his brother Ryan and sister Charlotte knew how unhappy she was and would often see her sitting in her car composing and preparing herself before entering the family home.

The television advert launched by the Welsh Government highlights how limiting a person's access to money, dictating what they can wear and making them cut contact with their friends and family are examples of some common coercive control behaviours.

In 2018 9,053 offences of coercive control were recorded by police across England and Wales and those being prosecuted faced on average 17 months imprisonment.

For help or more information about Coercive Control or any type of domestic abuse there's a free and confidential Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 8010 800 or visit livefearfree.gov.wales to message an adviser 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.