Am I in an Abusive Relationship?

Domestic abuse and coercive control are persistent and deliberate patterns of behaviour by an abuser over a prolonged period of time designed to achieve obedience and create fear.

It may include coercion, threats, stalking, intimidation, isolation, degradation, and control. It may also include physical and/or sexual violence.

Domestic abuse and coercive control are all about making a woman’s world smaller – trapping her, restricting her independence and freedom.

A controlling partner may shut out her friends and family, control her movements, micro-manage what she eats or wears, restrict her access to money – all the time chipping away at her confidence and destroying her self-respect.

As of January 1st, 2019, coercive control is a criminal offence in Ireland.