SURREY Police and the Surrey Against Domestic Abuse (SADA) partnership has begun a six-week long focus on helping people escape controlling and emotionally abusive relationships.

Emotional and psychological abuse, or ‘coercive control’ as it is known in law, covers a whole range of behaviours that lead to victims living under the total control of their partner. These include:

• Using tactics of isolation, degradation and mind games.

ª Dictating what their victim can eat, wear, who they can speak to, if they can go out – every aspect of their lives comes under their partner’s control.

• Fear and intimidation. The victim may not even realise they are being controlled as this way of life has gradually become the norm.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell said: “Domestic abuse is about much more than just physical violence, and in fact the majority of abusive relationships are non-violent.

“Imagine living under the shadow of sustained emotional abuse and control, with that sense of fear hanging over you and your every move being undermined. Controlling someone’s life to this extent is a crime and one that can now lead to a prison sentence.

“Victims of this crime deserve, and will receive, Surrey Police’s total support.”

The government has now acknowledged the seriousness and prevalence of this crime and a new law against repeated or continuous coercive or controlling behaviour was put in place in December 2015.

A maximum sentence of five years can be given if continuous coercive or controlling behaviour can be demonstrated.

If you or someone you know is trapped in a controlling relationship you can find help by calling Surrey’s Domestic Abuse helpline in complete confidence on 01483 776822 or visit www.surreyagainstda.info/ for further information.

You can also visit www.surrey.police.uk/ and report online.