Offence of coercive control should be extended to people in a non-intimate relationship – O’Dowd

Legislation on the offence of coercive control should be extended to people in a non-intimate relationship such as those who are living together or related to one another, according to Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd.

Deputy O’Dowd said: “Coercive control became a criminal offence on January 1^st 2019, and occurs when a current or former partner knowingly and persistently engages in behaviour that is controlling or intimidating, which is having a serious effect on a person.

“According to the Gardaí, incidents of coercive control being recorded have risen steadily since 2020, with a total of 481 recorded to December last year.

“Figures provided to me show that since January 2019 to March this year, a total of 46 people have been sent forward for trial from district courts to a higher court.

“Often victims of coercive control may fear that violence will be used against them, while every aspect of their life may be controlled by their current or ex-partner, including access to their personal finances and their relationships with family and friends.

“I believe that consideration should be given to changing the coercive control legislation so that it includes abusers who are not intimate partners and may be living with or related to their victims.

“Further action is needed to ensure these vulnerable people are protected from the sinister threat of abuse including coercive control in a domestic or other care setting.

“I welcome recent comments from my colleague, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, that she is open to examining in conjunction with relevant bodies, including An Garda Síochána and the DPP, options to provide any further necessary protections to people in family relations who may be victims of coercive control.

“This will be considered as part of the upcoming work to prepare the next implementation plan for the third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategy which will be agreed before the end of the year.

“The legislation in place and ongoing efforts to tackle all forms domestic, sexual and gender based violence by this Government is extremely welcome, and it sends a message to perpetrators that they cannot act with impunity and will face the full rigours of the law.

“It is hoped that the prosecutions and convictions to date will hopefully encourage victims to come forward, seek help and to know that they will be supported by the Gardaí in making a complaint.”