Huge change to domestic violence laws planned as abusers to be charged even if they don’t live with their victim

ABUSERS who coerce women they don’t live with can finally be charged by cops.

Police guidance from today has been expanded to offer greater protection.

The “living together” requirement has been struck from the descriptions of controlling or coercive behaviour offences.

This means victims still suffering abuse from an ex-partner or family member they no longer live with are better protected.

Safeguarding Minister Sarah Dines said: “This updated guidance will offer wider protection to victims and will support the police to bring more perpetrators to justice.”

Love Island star Malin Andersson, 30, who is a domestic abuse survivor, welcomed the announcement.

She said: “The psychological trauma of being in an abusive relationship can make victims feel very isolated.

"This new guidance will help those people to know just what Coercive or Controlling Behaviour is and to come forward and report it.”

Coercive control was made a criminal offence in 2015. There were 41,626 offences recorded by police in England and Wales in the year ending March 2022 — a rise from 33,954 in 2021.

The change came after consultation with charities, victims of abuse and support services.