On 20th January 2022 a landmark judgment was handed down by the High Court. Mr Justice Cobb acknowledged the term ‘gaslighting’ for the first time in a judgment of the Family Court. This is a step forward and is instrumental in highlighting the public’s awareness of coercive control.
What is Gaslighting?
Gaslighting is a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is used to describe the manipulation of someone by psychological means into doubting their own sanity and making them question their own grasp on reality. The term originated from a 1930’s play, Gaslight. In this play, the husband convinces his wife of her increasing insanity. He does this by dimming gaslights and telling her that she is hallucinating.
The use of the term in a judgment has now set a legal precedent and verifies the use of the term ‘Gaslighting’ within a court setting. This is a huge step forward for the family courts. It further reinforces that domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence and gives legitimacy and credibility to those suffering emotional abuse.
The Court Case
The recent High Court Case involves a woman who had been abused both physically and emotionally by her partner, the father of her child. Over the term of the relationship, the woman’s partner, a mental health care worker, had managed to convince her family and health professionals that she had bi-polar disorder.
In his judgment, Mr Justice Cobb said that ‘the father’s conduct represented a form of insidious abuse designed to cause the mother to question her own mental well-being, indeed her sanity…’ Mr Justice Cobb continued to say that there was no clear medical evidence that she had suffered or was suffering from bi-polar.
Coercive control and the law
Gaslighting is a form of coercive control. Coercive control has been a criminal offence in England and Wales since 2015.
Coercive control is when a person to whom you are personal connected too, repeatedly behaving in a way which makes you feel controlled, dependent, isolated or scared.
How can we help?
Martyn Prowel Solicitors Family Team witness the devastating effects of all forms of domestic abuse on victims. Our skilled and sensitive family specialists can help victims of domestic abuse. If you are concerned about coercive control, gaslighting, domestic abuse or any aspect of family law please call our team today on 02920470909, emailing us on [email protected] or making an enquiry online.