From today, offenders convicted of coercive or controlling behavior in England and Wales will face stricter police and probation management under new legal measures. The crime will now be treated on par with other serious domestic abuse offenses like stalking and threats to kill, according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
Under the updated Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa), offenders sentenced to 12 months or more will be automatically placed under enhanced monitoring. This means police, probation, and prison services are legally required to work together to share information and manage risks, improving protection for victims and the public.
How Mappa Will Help Reduce Reoffending
Mappa is a framework used to monitor high-risk offenders, and its expansion to include coercive control offenders is seen as a significant step forward in tackling domestic abuse. The MoJ states that offenders managed under Mappa have a reoffending rate less than half of the national average, demonstrating the effectiveness of multi-agency supervision.
This change is part of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, introduced by the previous government, and applies to offenders who have received:
• At least 12 months in prison, including suspended sentences
• A hospital order for coercive or controlling behavior in intimate or family relationships
Before this law, offenders convicted of coercive control could only be managed at the discretion of authorities. Now, they will be automatically placed under supervision when they meet sentencing criteria.
What Is Coercive Control?
Coercive control is a form of psychological domestic abuse where perpetrators use threats, intimidation, and humiliation to manipulate and isolate victims. It has been a criminal offense in the UK since 2015 and is often accompanied by physical violence, financial control, and emotional abuse.
Over time, coercive control erodes a victim’s independence, making it difficult for them to leave the abusive relationship. The introduction of Mappa protections aims to provide stronger safeguards for survivors.
Government and Charities Support Tougher Measures
Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, emphasized the importance of this legal change.
“For the first time, under this change to the law, coercive or controlling behavior is being placed where it belongs – on a par with serious violent offending,” she said.
Leading domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid welcomed the new measures.
Farah Nazeer, the charity’s chief executive, highlighted the damaging effects of coercive control, stating:
“Coercive control is a key tool used by perpetrators of domestic abuse, as it isolates survivors and makes them dependent on an abuser.”
She also stressed the importance of specialist domestic abuse services being part of the Mappa process to ensure survivors receive adequate protection.
Stronger Protections for Domestic Abuse Survivors
With coercive control now receiving the same legal priority as other serious domestic abuse crimes, survivors will benefit from tighter offender monitoring and greater risk management. By integrating police, probation, and specialist services, the government aims to reduce reoffending rates and strengthen victim protections.
The new law sends a clear message that psychological abuse is just as serious as physical violence—and that offenders will face the full weight of the law.
