As Emmerdale’s coercive control storyline draws towards a conclusion, leading law firm Clarke Willmott has praised the TV soap for highlighting this serious and complex area of domestic abuse.

Since his marriage to Belle, the programme has seen the character of Tom King become increasingly more violent and controlling towards his wife, undertaking subtle acts designed to make Belle question her own decisions and become trapped in a world of confusion, contradiction and fear.

The soap has now aired a special hour-long programme showcasing three potential outcomes for Belle and highlighting the internal fears and worries experienced by a victim of abuse.

Clarke Willmott LLP’s Rayner Grice says under the Serious Crime Act 2015 such behaviour can constitute a criminal offence, punishable by a maximum five years in prison.

“The court and the police have increasingly begun to take this behaviour very seriously and the impact this conduct can have on sufferers and any children they may share.

“Emmerdale is to be praised for bringing to light the insidious nature of coercive control in intimate relationships and its devastating impact on victims.”

Coercive control is defined as a “persistent series of acts, involving assault, threats, humiliation, intimidation, or other forms of abuse, employed to harm, punish, or instil fear in the victim”.

Rayner, a partner who heads Clarke Willmott’s family team, says coercive control often begins subtly and escalates over time.

“The storyline in Emmerdale mirrors real-life situations where victims find themselves trapped in a web of manipulation and control, often feeling isolated and powerless to seek help.

“Perpetrators might exploit vulnerabilities to maintain control or prevent victims from seeking assistance, in this case Belle’s history of mental health issues.

“As family lawyers, we often see victims fear losing their children if they report the abuse, with perpetrators manipulating them to believe this is true.

“Financial abuse is another aspect of controlling or coercive behaviour, often alongside physical abuse, or frequently standing alone as an independent form of abuse.

“Control and access to finances can also be a feature such as an older woman who has not worked through the relationship, with no access to the family finance and no pension in her own right.”

Rayner says it is vital legal advisers have the skills to be able to identify the signs to help guide the sufferer through the legal process and to ensure that the right action is taken at an early stage to protect them and potentially their children.

Emmerdale has been working with Refuge and New Beginnings Peer Support for the Tom and Belle storyline.

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Taunton and Southampton and is this year celebrating its 135th anniversary.

For more information on Clarke Willmott’s family law services visit Specialist Family Law Solicitors - UK & Abroad - Clarke Willmott