Allowing a Defence to Those Who Commit Crime Under Coercive Control

Elkington, A. (2022) Allowing a Defence to Those Who Commit Crime Under Coercive Control. The Journal of Criminal Law, 86 (5). pp. 295-307. ISSN 0022-0183

[thumbnail of Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from  Sage Publications in The Journal of Criminal Law, 2021: pp. 1-13 https://doi.org/10.1177/00220183211050570 © Sage Publications] Text (Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from Sage Publications in The Journal of Criminal Law, 2021: pp. 1-13 https://doi.org/10.1177/00220183211050570 © Sage Publications)
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Abstract

Abused women who are coerced to commit crime have no adequate legal defence. Historically, martial coercion may have been pled, but since its repeal and lack of replacement, abused women have been left without adequate protection in the criminal justice system. Duress would seem to be the logical defence in such a situation, but its construction by the courts means that women are still left with no defence. If a woman resists the coercion to commit crime, and instead protects herself against the abuse, she will equally have no suitable defence. Parliament were presented with the opportunity to rectify this problem when passing the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, but despite the Lords’ support, proposals were rejected by the Commons. Whilst research shows that crime committed under coercive control is not an insignificant problem, the current law does not protect some of the most vulnerable from prosecution.

Item Type: Articles
Additional Information: Elkington, A. (2021) ‘Allowing a Defence to Those Who Commit Crime Under Coercive Control’, The Journal of Criminal Law. doi: 10.1177/00220183211050570 © The Author(s) 2021
Uncontrolled Keywords: Coercive control, defences, Domestic Abuse Act 2021, duress, marital coercion
Subjects: K Law > K Law (General)
K Law > K5000 Criminal law and procedure
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Arts and Humanities > Law
Depositing User: Angela Roberts
Date Deposited: 13 May 2022 11:59
Last Modified: 14 Oct 2022 08:44
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/6254

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