Controlling or coercive behaviour
Controlling or coercive behaviour is a pattern of repeated or continuous behaviour towards a partner, ex-partner or family member that has a serious effect on them. It covers abuse such as isolating someone, monitoring them, controlling their money or threatening them, including after a relationship has ended.
Law checked as at 25 September 2026. Legal information only, not legal advice, and not a prediction of any sentence.
At a glance
| Also known as | Coercive control, Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, Domestic abuse |
|---|---|
| The law | Serious Crime Act 2015, section 76 |
| Where it is tried | either way. It can be tried in the magistrates' court or the Crown Court. |
| Maximum penalty | 5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine in the Crown Court. In the magistrates' court, imprisonment up to the general limit (currently 12 months for either way offences) and/or a fine. |
| Sentencing guideline | Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship |
Maximum penalties are the most a court can impose for the worst cases. Most sentences are far lower, and the actual sentence depends on the facts, any guilty plea and the court's assessment.
What the prosecution must prove
- The defendant repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour towards the victim that was controlling or coercive.
- At the time, they were personally connected: current or former spouses or civil partners, engaged or formerly engaged, current or former intimate partners, parents of (or people with parental responsibility for) the same child, or relatives.
- The behaviour had a serious effect: it caused the victim to fear violence on at least two occasions, or caused serious alarm or distress with a substantial adverse effect on their usual day-to-day activities.
- The defendant knew, or ought to have known, that the behaviour would have a serious effect on the victim.
Defences and common issues
- Best interests defence: the defendant believed they were acting in the victim's best interests and the behaviour was reasonable in all the circumstances (s.76(8)). It is not available where the behaviour caused fear of violence.
- The behaviour was not repeated or continuous, or did not have a serious effect as defined.
- The two people were not personally connected within the statutory definition.
- The offence does not apply where the defendant has responsibility for a child under 16 who is the victim; that situation falls under child cruelty law instead.
Frequently asked questions
Does the coercive control law apply after a relationship has ended?
Yes. Since 5 April 2023, following the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, the offence applies to former partners and family members whether or not they live together. Before that date, ex-partners and relatives were only covered if they lived together, so post-separation abuse often had to be charged as harassment or stalking. Behaviour before 5 April 2023 is judged under the old rules. The offence covers current and former spouses, civil partners, intimate partners, relatives, and people who share a child.
What are examples of controlling or coercive behaviour?
Examples include isolating someone from friends and family, monitoring their phone, messages or location, controlling their money or access to work, dictating what they wear, eat or where they go, repeated put-downs, threats, and threatening to reveal private information. No single act has to be a crime on its own. What matters is a pattern of repeated or continuous behaviour that has a serious effect, such as making the person fear violence or seriously affecting their daily life.
Does there have to be physical violence for coercive control?
No. The offence was created to capture abuse that is not physical. It is enough that the behaviour caused the victim to fear, on at least two occasions, that violence would be used, or caused serious alarm or distress with a substantial adverse effect on their usual day-to-day activities. Evidence might include messages, bank records, witness accounts, diary entries or changes in the victim's routine. Where violence has occurred, assault charges may be brought alongside.
What is the maximum sentence for coercive control?
The maximum sentence for controlling or coercive behaviour is 5 years' imprisonment and a fine, under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. In the magistrates' court, the sentence is limited to the general limit for either way offences, currently 12 months. Courts use the Sentencing Council guideline for this offence together with the overarching domestic abuse guideline, which treats offences in a domestic context as more serious. Restraining orders are often made on conviction.
Can the police prosecute coercive control if the victim doesn't want to go to court?
Yes, in some cases. The decision to charge is made by the Crown Prosecution Service, not the victim, and it can bring an evidence-led prosecution using other evidence such as messages, recordings, witnesses and financial records. The victim's views are always taken into account, and support is available through independent domestic violence advisers. Special measures, such as giving evidence from behind a screen or by live link, can help victims who do give evidence.
Official sources
Primary sources and official guidance on this topic, for anyone who wants to read the underlying rules directly.
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