This book presents a variety of socio-legal perspectives on issues of domestic violence and abuse. Focussing on contemporary research and practice developments in policing, law, statutory and voluntary sectors, the contributors to this volume cover a vast spectrum of initiatives and professional expertise concerned variably with protection, prevention and intervention priorities. The challenges of "joined up" thinking across these perspectives are apparent as the varied definitions, underpinning ideologies, terminologies, the profile of the victim/survivor's voice and identified gaps in service provision appearing in this book illustrate. As a reflection on the current economic climate, some of the perspectives presented necessarily compete rather than complement each other, an issue the volume highlights and addresses. Achieving a broader understanding of these issues and insights into a range of activity in this context is vital for both the practitioner and academic alike, whatever their perspective.

Drawing on experiences from other jurisdictions within the UK, Criminalising Coercive Control explores the challenges and potential successes which may be faced in implementing Northern Ireland’s new domestic abuse offence. A specific offence of domestic abuse was introduced in Northern Ireland in March 2021. This represents a crucial development in Northern Ireland’s response to domestic abuse. The new legislation has the effect of criminalising coercive and controlling behaviour, thereby bringing Northern Ireland into line with other jurisdictions within the UK, and also with relevant human rights standards in this regard. The book begins with a discussion regarding the offence itself and the underpinning domestic abuse policy in Northern Ireland. Subsequent chapters explore further measures which may be needed to respond effectively to domestic abuse in Northern Ireland, by drawing upon the experiences of other jurisdictions of criminalising coercive control. These reflections are considered through the lenses of policing, prosecutorial practice and frontline domestic abuse working. Criminalising Coercive Control will be of great interest to students and scholars in a variety of fields, such as criminal law, criminology, social policy, human rights, family law, gender studies and sociology. The book is also accessible beyond academia, including practitioners and those in the voluntary sector who are working in the area of combating domestic abuse.