Gaps in Enforcement Leave Victims of Post-Separation Abuse Exposed, Advocates Say

Advocates said victims often face “a continuing pattern of control that does not end with separation, but instead adapts and persists.”

Support organisations and legal practitioners have indicated that post-separation abuse remains insufficiently addressed in England and Wales, with victims continuing to face harassment, coercion and psychological control from former partners despite legislative reforms.

According to representatives from frontline domestic abuse services, many cases involve individuals who are no longer in a relationship with their abuser but remain subject to ongoing threats.

They said authorities sometimes fail to recognise the seriousness of these situations, particularly when contact between former partners is maintained due to shared parenting responsibilities.Practitioners reported that victims are frequently perceived as being at lower risk once a relationship has ended.

This perception, they said, can result in cases being deprioritised or mischaracterised, even when patterns of coercive behaviour continue. They added that such assumptions overlook the potential for escalation during and after separation, a period widely regarded by specialists as high-risk.

Legal experts noted that coercive and controlling behaviour was criminalised in 2015, with further provisions introduced under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to explicitly include abuse by former partners. These measures came into force in April 2023, extending legal protections to individuals experiencing post-separation abuse.

However, stakeholders said the implementation of these laws has been uneven, with varying levels of awareness among police and judicial authorities.Advocacy groups reported that a significant proportion of cases handled by domestic abuse helplines involve post-separation dynamics.

They said these often include stalking, persistent communication, and attempts to monitor or influence victims’ daily lives. In many instances, perpetrators are said to use indirect methods of control, including manipulation of shared parental arrangements.

One survivor described experiencing repeated, unannounced visits from her former partner following their separation, despite not cohabiting at the time the relationship ended. She said the individual would insist on access to their child, particularly during holidays and significant occasions, creating ongoing distress and uncertainty.

The same individual reported that the behaviour continued even after she relocated. She said that digital tools were used to track her movements, including the extraction of location data from photographs she had shared.

According to her account, this enabled her former partner to identify her new address, raising concerns about privacy and the misuse of technology in abuse cases.She also indicated that she had been followed to social and family events, including those linked to her cultural background.

She said the repeated intrusion led her to withdraw from such gatherings, affecting both her personal life and her child’s connection to their heritage.Support workers said such experiences are consistent with broader patterns in post-separation abuse, where perpetrators adapt their methods to maintain influence.

They noted that emotional manipulation, including threats of self-harm, is sometimes used to exert pressure on victims. In the case described, the survivor reported responding to such threats out of concern, only to later perceive them as deliberate attempts to control her actions.

Professionals working in the sector also highlighted the role of children in facilitating continued abuse. They said perpetrators may use requests for contact or communication about parenting as a means to sustain engagement with the victim. In some cases, they added, children may be exposed to negative portrayals of the other parent, further complicating family dynamics.

Legal practitioners pointed to the use of family court processes as another avenue through which control can be exercised. They said some individuals exploit court-ordered arrangements by failing to adhere to agreed schedules or by introducing uncertainty, thereby disrupting the victim’s ability to plan and maintain stability.

Advocates emphasised that while legal recognition of post-separation abuse marks a significant step, it has not yet translated into consistent enforcement. They said there is a need for more comprehensive training to help police officers and judicial officials identify patterns of coercive behaviour beyond physical violence.

They further indicated that improved understanding of risk factors associated with separation could enhance responses and prevent escalation. Without such measures, they warned, victims may continue to face prolonged exposure to abuse despite existing legal protections.

Stakeholders also called for greater coordination between agencies, noting that inconsistent responses can undermine confidence in the system.

They said that recognising post-separation abuse as an ongoing and evolving threat is essential to ensuring that victims receive appropriate protection and support.