New law over behaviour takes effect in UK

Physical violence will no longer be needed to prosecute someone for abusing their partners or family members in England and Wales.

A law has taken effect that will make it a crime to use repeated threats, humiliation and intimidation to control people.

It will mean that "coercive or controlling" behaviour can be seen as domestic abuse and can be prosecuted as a crime.

Authorities say stopping someone from socialising, controlling their social media access or using apps to put them under surveillance will in some cases be covered by the new legislation.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders says this type of behaviour "can limit victims' basic human rights."

She said many victims say the trauma from psychological abuse was worse than the trauma of physical abuse.