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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has marked significant strides in tackling domestic abuse with a noticeable rise in both coercive control and strangulation charges, reflecting the ongoing progress in improving the criminal justice system's response to these complex and often hidden forms of abuse.
Ten years after coercive control was made a criminal offence under the Serious Crime Act 2015, charges for this form of psychological abuse continue to rise, showing real progress in the recognition of emotional and psychological harm. In the past year alone, nearly 5,000 charges were brought forward for coercive control, a testament to the growing understanding of the crime and the CPS’s commitment to victim-centred prosecution strategies.
Kate Brown, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex and Domestic Abuse lead, highlighted the importance of criminalising coercive control, noting, “This was a landmark step that transformed how we tackle domestic abuse. Over the past decade, our understanding of this offence has deepened across the criminal justice system and wider society, driving stronger prosecutions.”
The CPS’s work over the last decade has included updating prosecution guidance to include modern tactics like “love-bombing” and “gaslighting,” encouraging victim-centred, suspect-focused prosecutions, and working closely with police, support organisations, and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs). A national Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan, launched alongside police forces, has further enhanced investigations and prosecutions, aiming to build stronger cases from the outset.
The CPS has also launched initiatives to protect victims during trials, including seeking special measures like video-recorded interviews and behind-screen appearances to minimise trauma during the justice process.
Meanwhile, charges for strangulation and suffocation, introduced as criminal offences in 2022 under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, have seen an almost sixfold increase from 1,483 charges in 2022–23 to 8,545 in 2024–25. In just the first quarter of 2025–26, 2,656 charges have been recorded, indicating a continued rise in prosecutions.
This sharp increase underscores the CPS’s ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) and its determination to address high-risk, high-harm offences. The offence of strangulation, which previously resulted in lesser charges such as common assault, carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, acknowledging the extreme danger and psychological toll it inflicts on victims.
Kate Brown stressed that strangulation is often an indicator of escalating violence, warning, “There is no safe way to strangle someone – that is a myth that puts lives at risk. We want the public to know: this behaviour is illegal, it leads to criminal records, and it’s often a warning sign for even more serious violence, including murder.”
Prosecutors are being specially trained to identify strangulation cases and charge them appropriately, ensuring that they reflect the full risk posed to victims. Recent data from CPS regions shows significant increases in charges, with CPS areas like Yorkshire & Humberside, North West, and East Midlands seeing considerable rises in reported strangulation offences.
Both types of abuse, coercive control and strangulation, leave deep scars, often hidden until the survivors are able to seek help. Two survivors, Sophia and Maggie, have shared their harrowing stories to raise awareness of the devastating effects of coercive control.
Sophia’s experience involved a seemingly supportive partner who isolated her from family, dictated how she looked, and used threats to manipulate her. "He started turning up in random places… when I tried to leave, he threatened suicide," Sophia said. "It was relentless."
Maggie, who also experienced love-bombing followed by controlling behaviour, explained, “At first I thought he was just looking out for me. Coercive control didn’t even cross my mind; I didn’t know this could be a crime." Over time, her partner’s control escalated to physical and sexual abuse, and Maggie became withdrawn and isolated from her loved ones.
Both women eventually contacted the police, and their stories helped bring their perpetrators to justice. Their experiences reflect the complex nature of coercive control, where what may initially seem like small, manageable behaviours evolve into an illegal and dangerous pattern of abuse.
The CPS has reiterated its commitment to supporting victims through the justice process, ensuring they are heard and that perpetrators are held accountable. Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP reaffirmed the government’s pledge to tackle domestic abuse, stating, “Strangulations are rarely isolated incidents. Victims are often subjected to sustained physical and psychological abuse, causing long-lasting harm and destroying lives. This must end now."
The CPS, in partnership with the police and support organisations, remains dedicated to protecting victims and ensuring justice for all forms of domestic abuse. With a decade of progress in tackling coercive control and a strong commitment to prosecuting strangulation, the CPS is pushing forward in its mission to combat domestic abuse and support survivors on their journey to healing.
