Women Folks

Almost a third of women aged between 16 and 24 say they've been in a controlling relationship. That's according to Avon and Women's Aid, who talked to 2,000 people. The study also suggests that many women don't realise they're in a coercive relationship until they break up. A new law was introduced in December which means domestic abusers who control victims via social media or spy on them online could face up to five years in prison. The legislation, brought into force in England and Wales, targets people who put their partners or family members through psychological and emotional torment but stop short of violence. Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexual orientation Government definition of domestic violence and abuse Stats from the study suggest 21% of women only knew they&