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#New domestic violence law will outlaw coercive control

Theresa May expected to unveil plans to put psychological and emotional abuse on a par with domestic violence

A new law on domestic violence, making it illegal for someone to exercise coercive control over their partner, will be unveiled by the Government this week.

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is expected to announce new powers allowing the police to prosecute those who are guilty of psychological and emotional abuse.

It means for the first time men who control their partners through threats or by restricting their personal or financial freedom, could face prison in the same way as those who are violent towards them.

Campaigners have long called for a change in the law to put psychological exploitation on a par with physical violence, in the hope it will encourage more victims to come forward and report abuse in the home.

According to the charity, Women s Aid, only 6.5 per cent of domestic violence incidents reported to the police result in a conviction, while a quarter of cases that are passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) result in no action being taken.