Domestic abusers who control victims via social media or spy on them online could face up to five years in prison under a new law which came into force today in England and Wales.
The legislation will target those who subject spouses, partners and family members to psychological and emotional torment but stop short of violence.
The type of abuse covered by the new law could include a pattern of threats, humiliation and intimidation. It could also involve stopping someone from socialising, controlling their social media accounts, surveillance through apps and dictating what they wear, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
"Controlling or coercive behaviour can limit victims' basic human rights, such as their freedom of movement and their independence," Alison Saunders, the country's director of public prosecutions said.
"This behaviour can be incredibly harmful in an abusive relationship where one person holds more power than the other, even if on the face of it this behaviour might seem playful, innocuous or loving. Victims can be frightened of the repercussions of not abiding by someone else's rules.
"Often they fear that violence will be used against them, or suffer from extreme psychological and emotional abuse. These new powers mean this behaviour, which is particularly relevant to cases of domestic abuse, can now be prosecuted in its own right," Saunders said.
Cases will be heard in magistrates' or crown courts and evidence could potentially include emails and bank records.
