Victims of domestic violence and advocates campaign for laws that would criminalise “coercive control” following the 2019 murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children. The move is intended to address patterns of controlling behaviour that victims experience before physical violence occurs.
Across reporting, the reforms are presented as a response to cases where power and fear are used to dominate victims, including through psychological and behavioural tactics rather than visible assaults. However, some women’s safety advocates express concerns. They argue that coercive control offences could be difficult to define and apply consistently, potentially leading to unintended harm—such as wrongfully capturing behaviours that occur in complex domestic circumstances.
The outlets describe a split within the broader domestic violence policy conversation: victims’ groups and some reform supporters want coercive control treated as a standalone criminal offence, while other advocates worry about how the law could affect accused people and, critically, the protection of those it targets. The coverage reflects ongoing debate about safeguards, definitions, and implementation.
