Emotional Abuse To Be Criminalized In Ireland With New Domestic Violence Law

[appalachiablue]

Source: CNN

Psychological and emotional abuse in intimate relationships is now a crime in Ireland. The Domestic Violence Act 2018 went into effect on Tuesday and provides new protections for victims of "coercive control," a type of emotional and psychological abuse aimed at stripping a person of their self-worth and agency.

Although psychological and emotional abuse -- including controlling behavior, isolation, and threats of violence -- can be more difficult to recognize than physical violence, it can be just as damaging, experts say.

Ireland's Minister of Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan said in a statement Wednesday that the new law "recognizes that the effect of non-violent control in an intimate relationship can be as harmful to victims as physical abuse because it is an abuse of the unique trust associated with an intimate relationship."

"This new provision sends a message that society will no longer tolerate the appalling breach of trust committed by one partner against the other in an intimate context," he added.


Read more: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/emotional-abuse-to-be-criminalized-in-ireland-with-new-domestic-violence-law/ar-BBRI7p4?ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

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Ireland 2017, Women's Aid report: 15,833 accounts of domestic abuse, including 10,281 reports of emotional abuse, 83% of abusers were male intimate partners. Ireland is one of only a few countries that has criminalized psychological or emotional abuse, others include France, England, Wales and Scotland.

The new Irish law also has measures against gender-based violence, including criminalizing forced marriages, and repealing legislation that previously allowed underage couples to marry.

[pecosbob]

1. K-R

[Tree-Hugger]

2. This is great news nt

[virgogal]

3. I just can't agree with this.

I was divorced because of emotional abuse----it was rough for me,but I do not want it criminalized.

it would be almost impossible to prove,for one thing,and what I considered abuse may not have been considered abuse by others.

[obamanut2012]

13. Coercive Control is a real thing, and it should be criminalized

Your take on this, as a survivor, is odd to me. It is being criminalized in Eire and the UK because it is A FACT it is more insidious and abusive than physical abuse, barring something like death. This also includes financial control.

Laura Richards' (ex Scotland Yard) website and social media are excellent resources for this. She spearheaded the change in the UK laws.

[lagomorph777]

14. As a person living with it, yes hard to prove but also horribly debilitating.

Complexities of my situation make it hard to extricate myself, and jail time for the abuser would be cruel and unusual given medical realities. But I see why people want to do something about it.

[BigmanPigman]

4. When will we get the same law in the US?

Oh wait, old, white men are in control so I guess that answers my question.

[appalachiablue]

5. Meanwhile in the US, the Violence Against Women Act just expired Dec 27.

Huff Post. The Violence Against Women Act Just Expired. The landmark legislation, which protects domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, expired on Friday amid the government shutdown. Dec. 27, 2018.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-violence-against-women-act-just-expired_us_5c24d8aae4b05c88b6fe046e

[BigmanPigman]

9. Oh my, I guess the GOP and orange moron will do everything possible

to make sure it is put on their calendar/agenda for 2019 ASAP.

"In September, 46 House Republicans sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), urging leadership to reauthorize VAWA before it was set to expire on Sept. 30. Pelosi also wrote a letter to Ryan criticizing his and other House Republicans’ inaction on the legislation."

Maybe Pelosi can get something done NOW!

[lagomorph777]

15. Abuse is not exclusively committed by men, white people, or people of a certain age.

I speak from experience.

[rickyhall]

6. But does this new law extend to the children?

It's rarely mentioned but I have experienced emotional child abuse as well as the physical variety, but never the sexual version. All of them leave lasting scars, however.

[appalachiablue]

7. For Ireland, child abuse could be under the realm of child protection

and welfare, link here.

Abuse against children, women, men, elders & others exists; governments are slowly recognizing the seriousness & harm.

On Google just now, I saw many links for info. about Ireland & child abuse & the role of the Catholic Church.

https://www.dcya.gov.ie/docs/EN/Children-First-Legislation/2758.htm

[cpamomfromtexas]

8. If only my country were as civilized I might not be in therapy

But thanks to my 80 year old father pulling a gun on my son (amongst other crimes), I am about to “divorce” both of my parents. My mother was abused and she made her choice to support him, soon she will have lost all of us.

I hate having to be the grown up but couldn’t put up with him controlling my property or my life.

Call me DONE with abuse.

[Chrysanthemum]

10. Good for you!

I wish you and your children all the best!

[cpamomfromtexas]

11. Thank you. Stopped my parents when they tried to damage

My children. Currently “divorcing” them after they committed multiple crimes including waving a gun at my oldest.

I was willing to go peacefully but not now. Had begun collecting evidence 3 years ago including recording telephone calls, voice mails, and even documents from court house that prove another crime.

All this and caring for a sick husband and child with brain damage.

I am so incredibly overwhelmed and scared.

[niyad]

12. k and r

[riversedge]

16. k for visibility