In a landmark ruling earlier this month, controlling boyfriend Mohammed Anwaar became the first person to be jailed under the new emotional abuse law.
For nine months, Anwaar unleashed a horrific campaign of psychological abuse on mum-of-two Gema Doherty, 30, controlling who she was allowed to see and what she could wear and even forcing her into a gruelling fitness regime, which also restricted her diet. At one point she was made to eat 50 cans of tuna a week.
Twisted Anwaar, 27, admitted coercive and controlling behaviour at Sheffield Crown Court, as well as nine counts of assault and criminal damage. He received a two and a half year sentence, including 12 months for emotional abuse and was given a five year restraining order.
The new law, which carries up to five years in prison, came into effect last December. Under it, controlling behaviour – including threats and intimidation and behaviour such as stopping your partner from socialising, confiscating passports or car keys to control their movements, or tracking them using GPS apps - are now a criminal offence.
Disturbingly, the Citizens Advice Bureau has reported a surge in domestic abuse, with over 5,000 people asking for support in 2015, including 3,000 cases of emotional abuse.
Domestic abuse organisations now hope this first case will set a precedent. Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Women's Aid, says: "This conviction is a positive sign. Strong sentences are essential to show perpetrators that coercive and controlling behaviour will not be tolerated.
"Perpetrators usually start abusing their victim emotionally, monitoring their every move, and stripping away their control; physical violence often comes later. The coercive control law will help more women to recognize earlier that they’re experiencing domestic abuse."
Domestic abuse survivor Lisa Gordon, 34, welcomes the new law. She was left suicidal after enduring months of psychological abuse at the hands of ex partner Lee Sullivan, 29.
Mum-of-five Lisa says: “My relationship with Lee only lasted months, but I still feel the effects today, five years on. I’m relieved emotional abuse is finally being recognised – it’s devastating. Hopefully more women will feel they’re able to speak out now.
“Lee destroyed my confidence, controlled my finances and cut me off from my friends, breaking my phone and laptop. I lost my job, my kids went to live with my mum and I felt suicidal.
"If I hadn’t got away when I had, I don’t think I’d be alive today. At first I didn't realise it was domestic abuse but hopefully this new law will help women recognise the early emotional signs and get help.”
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