Debate contribution: Protecting Victims of Coercive Control

Debate contribution by Ms Connie Egan on 5 May 2026.

MLA

Ms Connie Egan

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

5 May 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Protecting Victims of Coercive Control

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5525188

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Coercive control in personal relationships, whether they are romantic or not, is an incredibly serious matter, and I welcome the opportunity to speak about it in the Chamber this evening. Our society simply does not focus enough education and attention on that element of domestic violence. There is still so much to do to raise the profile of what coercive control actually is, as, often, victims can still be unaware of what they have experienced; they just know that something is wrong. For that reason, I welcomed Minister Long making coercive control a legally recognised term in primary legislation during the previous mandate. That was long overdue. She noted it as a pattern or course of behaviour, with the intention of creating psychological and/or physical harm that gaslights and intimidates, creating long-lasting, traumatising impacts that are deeply felt by all victims involved, including any vulnerable children who, we hear, are disgustingly used as leverage in custody disputes. For us to make any progress for victims of coercive control, our legislation, courts and support services must be fully equipped. The original motion brings in a particularly important point on coercive control, which is the use of it by perpetrators in court proceedings to re-traumatise their victims. In any context, it is extremely traumatic for victims to have to face the perpetrators. Through my work in my constituency office and more general work in family courts, I have spoken to many people who have suffered post-separation abuse, where the court is used as a vehicle for mental and financial torment. That key theme was identified in the 'Totally Invisible' report, which was published by the Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime in December 2025. It examined the connection between domestic abuse and private family law proceedings. The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act was long needed. It looks specifically at special measures and support for victims of abuse during their justice journey. It has been incredibly worthwhile engaging in post-legislative scrutiny of the Act through the Justice Committee. Just last week, the Criminal Justice Inspection published its third review of the Act. That attention is vital for keeping its progress on the agenda of key justice agencies, including the PSNI and the PPS. In June 2025, the Lady Chief Justice released formal guidance on domestic abuse in family proceedings. It specifically references establishing when coercive control has happened in cases that are being seen in family courts. Whether there have been improvements for victims in the first year of its use will be very important to establish and, again, emphasises the need for cross-justice partner collaboration. That being said, there can be what is felt like double standards between our criminal and civil courts. The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act introduced a series of protections and interventions for victims of coercive control, including special measures that allow witnesses to give evidence through live links or from behind a screen. However, on the ground, it is clear that special measures have been much more normalised in criminal courts rather than civil, despite being available in family proceedings settings. The difference is not just in access and uptake alone but knowledge that it is an option in civil courts is much more minimal. More needs to be done to improve the victim's experience in court, including stopping cases from being prolonged for little reason and progressing regulations relating to the prohibition of cross-examination.

Children are very much at the heart of these issues, and I have spoken to victims of abuse where, astonishingly, their fact-finding has established the perpetrator as a terrible and abusive partner, with minimal consequences, but a great and wonderful parent. How does that even make sense?

The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act is incredibly important legislation, and it is positive to see so much focus on it. It is vital that we move forward and remain victim-led in order to tackle the barriers that they encounter. I look forward to working with Minister Long and her officials through the Justice Committee to ensure that all the provisions are enacted as quickly as possible in the most diligent manner.

690 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:38 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification