As of this week, controlling or coercive behaviour has been put ‘on a par’ with other domestic abuse offences, including threats to kill and stalking, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

Coercive control is a psychological type of domestic abuse where the perpetrator uses threats, humiliation, and intimidation to harm and frighten the victim.

Those convicted of coercive or controlling behaviour and sentenced to 12 months or more will automatically be managed under the multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa).

Under Mappa, the police, probation, prison, and other agencies are legally required to work together to better manage the risks posed by the offenders. Agencies are legally required under Mappa to share any information which indicates an increased risk to former partners and members of the public. This is in contrast to previous where those convicted could only be actively managed on a discretionary basis.

Coercive control was made a criminal offence in 2015. The number of coercive control offences recorded by police across England and Wales has risen in the last two years to more than 45,000 in 2024, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. Almost all of those convicted are men.

Farah Nazeer, the chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “Coercive control is a key tool used by perpetrators of domestic abuse, as it isolates survivors and makes them dependent on an abuser.

“It is essential that specialist domestic abuse services, with expertise on abusive behaviours and the impacts on victims and survivors, are routinely included in the Mappa process if survivors are to be properly protected by this measure.”

Criminal Injury Compensation Claims and Its Current Limitations

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you may be able to claim compensation for the domestic abuse you have suffered by applying for criminal injuries compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Despite the recent improvements by the Ministry of Justice, the CICA will not consider compensation for financial abuse, theft, stalking and coercive control, even though these actions can result in significant mental injury.

The psychological toll of being controlled, isolated and intimidated is often profound and can lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD.

The CICA compensation framework is archaic and does not offer compensation for coercive control, despite it’s recognised impact on mental health, creating a gap in support for victims subject to manipulation, threats or isolation without physical injury. The scheme also fails to recognise minor isolated physical injuries such as bruising, broken noses, small cuts, scrapes or swelling.

To represent an inclusive, modern understanding of domestic abuse we invite the CICA to consider coercive control, financial abuse, theft, stalking and minor injuries as part of their approach in considering compensation for victims of domestic abuse.

Despite the flaws, under the existing CICA scheme you may be able to claim compensation for domestic abuse claims if there is evidence that a crime of violence has taken place, i.e a sexual or physical assault has occurred.

The criminal injury must have happened in Great Britain (Scotland, Wales or England) and must also be serious enough to qualify for the minimum tariff award of £1,000. In addition, you need a crime reference number from the police, and you must not have contributed to the incident in any way.

If you think you might qualify to make a claim from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, CICA, then call Farleys Solicitors in confidence on 0330 134 6430 or you can email us.