Petition · Home Office

Extend Section 76 to protect victims of institutional coercive control.

Open for signatures 36 signatures

What the petition asks

Amend the Serious Crime Act 2015 to make coercive and controlling behaviour by employers, religious organisations, care providers, and institutions a criminal offence, giving all victims the same legal protection regardless of context.
We believe the law currently tells victims of institutional coercive control that their suffering is less worthy of criminal sanction simply because their abuser was an employer, a religious body, an organisation, or a care provider rather than a partner or family member. We are concerned that this is a gap that causes real, lasting harm to people. The psychological damage caused by coercive control does not depend on the relationship in which it occurs, and the law should reflect that. It must change to provide recourse to all victims, not just some.

Timeline

23 Apr 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 36
Status Open for signatures
Department Home Office
Opened 23 Apr 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.