Richard Rhodes spoke as the government said that those who commit domestic abuse by controlling their victims through social media accounts or spy on them online could now face up to five years in prison.
The legislation targets those who subject spouses, partners and other family members to serious psychological and emotional torment but stop short of violence.
The types of abuse being targeted include perpetrators who stop their victim from socialising, limiting access to family, friends and finances, monitoring their victim through online communication tools and making threats to reveal or publish private infor-mation.
Mr Rhodes hopes the new law will encourage more victims to come forward.
He said: “Statistically, in the case of domestic violence, it’s been shown that it isn’t reported until the 35th time it happens.
“I’d hope that the new legislation will give people the confidence to come forward and report incidents of domestic abuse. Just because it isn’t physical doesn’t mean it isn’t important.
“A lot of psychological harm can be done by monitoring someone and controlling what they can and can’t do.
“With domestic violence, you can see the harm that’s been done but when you’re controlling someone psy-chologically, it’s essentially your word against theirs.”
The Reverend Eleanor Hancock, of Carlisle’s Holy Trinity St Barnabas churches, is involved with tackling domestic violence and abuse as part of Churches Together in Cumbria.
She said: “Hopefully it will give police more power over bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“Helping to raise awareness is the key.”
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