Post Separation Abuse
In April 2023, a significant legal update expanded the Serious Crimes Act (2015) to recognize post-separation abuse as a criminal offence. This form of abuse refers to ongoing patterns of harmful behavior that persist after a relationship ends, including financial, emotional, and physical abuse, such as stalking or harassment.
Emotional abuse is particularly prevalent after separation due to physical distance between individuals. For instance, an ex-partner might repeatedly send manipulative messages, make false allegations to damage their ex’s reputation, or use social media to humiliate them publicly.
In some instances, post-separation abuse begins only after the relationship ends, even if no abuse occurred during the partnership. For example, a perpetrator might begin harassing their former partner with incessant phone calls or spreading rumors about them in their community. In other cases, the abuse continues from patterns established during the relationship, such as financial control evolving into withholding child support payments to create economic hardship.
The impact on survivors can be profound and long-lasting. Post-separation abuse often leads to severe mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Survivors may develop deep-seated trust issues, affecting their future relationships. For example, a victim who has endured repeated threats may find it hard to feel safe or confident even years later.
For ex-partners with children, the difficulties can multiply, as co-parenting is rarely feasible in such circumstances. Abusers may weaponize children by turning them against the other parent, interfering with visitation schedules, or making baseless reports to authorities. For instance, an abuser might deliberately schedule activities during the other parent's visitation time to create conflict or alienation.
This harmful behavior can inflict emotional trauma not only on survivors but also on children, making it vital to address and prevent post-separation abuse for the well-being of all involved.
