Introducing a criminal offence of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland: comparative insights into criminalising coercive control

This chapter analyses the new criminal law offence of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland. The chapter reflects on whether the offence will succeed in strengthening this jurisdiction’s response to such abuse. This analysis draws upon models designed for the same purpose in England and Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, to assess where Northern Ireland may succeed or be challenged when operationalising the new offence. Through this comparison, the chapter considers whether Northern Ireland has produced an offence model that has benefited from learning the lessons of other jurisdictions within the UK and Ireland.