Controlling and coercive behaviour highlighted in soap storyline finale
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“The evidence the court has heard today places you in the highest category of culpability for your criminal actions and behaviour.”
**The following post may contain spoilers**
“The evidence the court has heard today places you in the highest category of culpability for your criminal actions and behaviour.”
The ongoing domestic abuse storyline in Emmerdale came to a nail-biting end last night, with Belle King finding the courage to give evidence in court against her abusive ex-husband, Tom.
The episode cleverly showed Tom and Belle giving their evidence in tandem, as well as the all-important jury deliberation – which swung between being in favour of Tom, and then being in favour of Belle. In the end, he was found guilty of both assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, and sentenced to three years in prison.
Tom and Belle’s relationship began happily until abusive and controlling behaviour started to creep in on their wedding night – when Tom forced Belle to sleep downstairs due to opening a letter from her late mother at a time he felt was inappropriate.
Since then, his behaviour has escalated – particularly since the breakdown of their marriage. This includes:
- Verbally abusing and threatening Belle
- Physically harming Belle.
- Isolating Belle from her friends and family by spreading rumours
- Playing on Belle’s previous mental health struggles
- Spying on Belle through the camera they bought to watch their puppy.
- Giving away their dog and falsifying a story that she had been in an accident to try and get closer to Belle
- Installing secret cameras around Belle’s home following the end of their marriage.
Detective Chief Inspector Viki Ellis, the force lead for domestic abuse, said: “Belle and Tom’s storyline shows behaviour that is absolutely true to form for a controlling and abusive partner.
“Even when he wasn’t physically hurting Belle, he was manipulating her and was convincing enough to make her and others believe a certain narrative for a while.
“The escalation of behaviour during the relationship – and especially following the breakdown of the marriage - is also very true to what we see. This is why it is so important for the right support to be in place and for us to help with that.
“We also want to help people recognise what kind of behaviour signifies that someone is trying to control them. This episode, which goes through their entire relationship, shows an array of behaviours and actions – and, through Tom, how an abuser would respond to such allegations or questions around what they have done.
“We hope Belle’s strength encourages anyone in this situation to speak up. We will absolutely listen to you – and if you’re not ready to make a report, there are lots of support agencies who you can speak to – Advice about domestic abuse | Derbyshire Constabulary
“If you recognise some of these behaviours in yourself, it’s not too late to take control of your actions and learn about why this is harmful. You can speak to our partners about educational programmes – the Changes Project and the 180 Project.”