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Ireland’s Domestic Violence Act 2018 to include new crime of coercive control

Domestic Abuse

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2nd January 2019

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Laura Harris

An offence of psychological or emotional abuse is to be introduced as part of new domestic violence measures announced by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan.

“For too long, domestic violence has been seen primarily as physical abuse,” he said. “The new offence of coercive control recognises that the effect of non-violent control in an intimate relationship can be as harmful to victims as physical abuse because it is an abuse of the unique trust associated with an intimate relationship.

“Another important provision will ensure that an intimate relationship between victim and perpetrator must be regarded as an aggravating factor in sentencing for a wide range of offences.

“This new provision sends a message that society will no longer tolerate the appalling breach of trust committed by one partner against the other in an intimate context.”

Read more about the new legislation at the Irish Times website.

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