Amended bill criminalises ‘coercive control’ in relationships

David Stanton, minister of state in the Department of Justice, unexpectedly told the Seanad this week that, following consideration, “two Government amendments have been tabled on issues where it had previously been indicated that the Government was not minded to accept amendments”.

These amendments, he said, “provide for an offence of coercive control and aggravating factors in sentencing where the offender and victim are, or have been, in an intimate and committed relationship”.

Conviction on a charge of “coercive control” in the District Court will result a maximum sentence of one year, while conviction in the Circuit Court will carry up to five years in prison.