{"id":14253,"date":"2020-04-28T08:33:01","date_gmt":"2020-04-28T12:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=14253"},"modified":"2020-04-28T08:33:01","modified_gmt":"2020-04-28T12:33:01","slug":"coercive-control-to-be-made-criminal-offense-under-new-legislation-in-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=14253","title":{"rendered":"Coercive Control To Be Made Criminal Offense Under New Legislation in The North"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Alliance Party leader Naomi Long<\/figcaption><\/figure>Stormont justice minister Naomi Long has introduced legislation targeting domestic violence in Northern Ireland at the Assembly.<\/p>\n

The new laws will make coercive control like behavior amounting to psychological, emotional or financial abuse a criminal offence.<\/p>\n

She said social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic often ended in isolation.<\/p>\n

The Alliance Party leader said those at risk have found themselves without their normal support networks because they have to remain at home.<\/p>\n

Lockdown rules are being regularly reviewed and will eventually be lifted but the minister told Assembly members her legislation was for the long term.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important that our response is not temporary or fleeting as domestic abuse is neither,\u201d Ms Long said<\/p>\n

She said it would provide reassurance to victims and urged those in danger to call or email helplines, contact a friend or the police if necessary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhilst you may be socially distancing you are definitely not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said the wrongdoing affected every class, creed, age and gender.<\/p>\n

Victims felt isolated, controlled, trapped, degraded and humiliated and were left always on their guard and awaiting the next attack, the Alliance Party leader added.<\/p>\n

Mrs Long said the law would help victims give the best evidence they can to courts and reduce the number disengaging from the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n

A person convicted in a crown court of the worst offending faces up to 14 years in prison.<\/p>\n

The North’s justice committee chairman said the number of domestic abuse crimes was on the increase.<\/p>\n

In one year there were 18,033 crimes, Paul Givan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHome is where most people feel secure. It is a haven where you can relax with loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

He asked where else you could feel safe if not at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor many men, women, young and old, home becomes the worst place to be,\u201d Mr Givan added said.<\/p>\n

“It is a person\u2019s living nightmare and the crime is committed by someone who supposedly loves them and they should be able to trust.”<\/p>\n

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