Derbyshire Police issue advice about controlling and coercive behaviour

The force said that people who feel that they ‘walking on egg shells’ around their partner may be suffering from domestic abuse without realising.

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It said: “Do you feel scared of your partner and worry about the consequences of what might be relatively minor things?

“Does your partner get angry at the smallest of things? Do you feel like you have to do everything their way? Are you worried and that what you do will ‘set them off’?

“If you constantly feel like you’re walking on egg shells around your partner, you could be suffering from domestic abuse.”

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The force continued: “Controlling and coercive behaviour is a deliberate pattern of behaviour and psychological abuse that isolates, manipulates and frightens a victim into doing as they’re told.

“It can include assaults, threats, humiliation, intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or make the victim feel afraid.

“The law on coercive control allows charges to be brought in domestic abuse cases where there is evidence of repeated controlling or coercive behaviour.

“It can brought if a victim suffers serious alarm or distress that impacts on their day-to-day activities, or if they fear violence will be used on at least two occasions. The maximum penalty for the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour is five years’ imprisonment and a fine.”

Victims or those with concerns about others call 101 or report is online via www.derbyshire.police.uk/reportdomesticabuse.

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