8 March marked International Women’s Day.
This is an opportunity to highlight that, according to the WHO, nearly one in five women in Belgium has experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence at the hands of a partner at some point in her life.
In 2025, more than 25 women were killed because of their gender.
In light of these findings, the legislature passed the Act of 13 July 2023 on the prevention and combating of femicide and gender-based homicides. This Act came into force on 1 October 2023.
In this Act, the legislature introduced, for the first time, the concept of ‘coercive control’.
What is coercive control?
Coercive control refers to ‘coercive or controlling behaviour, whether continuous or repeated, which causes psychological harm’ (Article 4).
In practice, such behaviour can take various forms:
- Constant monitoring of the telephone or social media;
- Control over finances or deprivation of resources;
- Gradual isolation from family and friends;
- Repeated threats, humiliation or intimidation;
- Control over movements, work or daily activities.
Under Belgian law, coercive control does not yet constitute a separate criminal offence.
So, what does the introduction of the concept of coercive control bring to the Belgian legal landscape?
This concept enables domestic violence to be understood in terms of its dynamics of domination and control. The courts are made aware of this, and the concept of coercive control can also be applied in cases concerning children’s accommodation, as well as urgent and provisional measures between former partners.
By way of example, the Mons Court of Appeal ruled in a judgement of 27 March 2024 that ‘coercive control exercised by a parent over a child constitutes a contraindication within the meaning of the Act of 18 July 2006, justifying the rejection of equal shared custody.’
Are you a victim of coercive control?
Helpline: Domestic Violence Helpline: 0800 30 030. (Free and anonymous number).
You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Shelters: Collective Against Domestic Violence and Exclusion (CVFE – Liège): 04/223.45.67 (24 hours a day) or cvfe.be
S-Law: we work regularly with the CVFE.
