Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, says: “The Online Safety Act is a significant step forward in protecting victims of domestic abuse from online harm. More than half of victims have experienced coercive control through social media, which can wreak havoc on their lives and seriously jeopardise their safety. This landmark legislation makes online coercive control a priority offence.
“It’s time for social media companies to step up and take responsibility for protecting victims from abuse through their platforms. I look forward to working with the Department for Culture Media and Sport to ensure the upcoming statutory guidance for this legislation is ambitious and robust.”