A man from Kent in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to three years in prison after subjecting his partner to years of coercive control. Despite the UK’s legal framework against coercive control, the number of convictions remains relatively low compared to the reported incidents. While every prison term handed out for coercive control is a step forward, the low prison term sends out a dangerous message about how seriously the law treats this form of domestic abuse.
BBC reports that Grant Jeffery, a 33-year-old resident of Tonbridge, was arrested and subsequently charged with coercive and controlling behavior after years of dominating his partner’s life. Maidstone Crown Court heard how Jeffery dictated what his partner could wear, demanding she dress in loose clothing. He also isolated her from friends and family and kept home curtains closed to prevent his partner seeing anyone outside.
The abuse escalated to the point where the victim’s health deteriorated severely, leading to her hospitalization in September 2023. Even during her hospital stay, Jeffery’s controlling behavior persisted. He insisted her phone remain on video calls to monitor her constantly.
Jeffery also assaulted his partner while at the hospital and was arrested shortly afterwards. Jeffery pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years and one month in prison, along with a 10-year restraining order.
Understanding Coercive Control Under UK Law
In the UK, coercive control became officially recognized as a criminal offense in December 2015, under the Serious Crime Act 2015. Coercive control describes a pattern of behavior by an abuser that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This can include isolating a person from their sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance, and escape, and regulating their everyday behavior.
For a conviction of coercive control in the UK, prosecutors must prove that the behavior had a serious effect on the victim, including causing them serious alarm or distress that had a substantial adverse effect on their daily life.
Few Convictions for Coercive Control
Recent data indicates that while thousands of cases are reported annually, only a small fraction lead to convictions. For instance, in 2019, there were 17,616 offenses recorded under coercive and controlling behavior laws, but only 1,177 resulted in convictions. This disparity highlights challenges in both reporting and prosecuting such complex cases, where evidence of the psychological impact on victims is difficult to quantify.
A Call to Action
Detective Constable Jake Squire of the West Kent Proactive Domestic Abuse Team emphasized the importance of addressing such cases seriously, stating, “Jeffery is an aggressive bully who used threats and intimidation to exert complete control over his victim. It is right he is now serving a prison sentence and I hope this gives his victim the opportunity to repair her health and rebuild her life.”
Squire also urged anyone experiencing similar forms of abuse to seek help, reminding the community that support is available and nobody should feel trapped in an abusive situation. His message highlights the priority given to tackling domestic abuse by Kent Police and encourages victims to reach out to the police or support agencies.
Featured image: Grant Jeffery was sentenced to three years in prison. Image: Public domain.
