A WOMEN'S refuge has welcomed changes to laws around psychological abuse after supporting more than 8,000 domestic abuse survivors in the county last year.

Berkshire Women's Aid reports a surge in cases across the county as it was forced to turn away 73 people looking for refuge in just 12 months.

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It said this equates to being three in every four people looking for refuge with the support group that had to be turned away.

The group says this is likely to have increased in the past year, much like it has on a national scale also.

Recent changes in laws enforced in England and Wales have made coercive control in relationships illegal.

Most cases of domestic violence have elements of psychological control, but the law did not previously cover this aspect of abuse until now.

Berkshire Women's Aid chief executive Andrea West said: “The number of times where coercive control is mentioned and highlighted specifically by victims has almost doubled over the last year.

“The new changes in law are critical as it makes victim’s experiences valid and real. People are now aware of the impact of psychological abuse and not just physical.”

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The offence of coercive control now recognises that domestic abuse can take several forms and is not strictly limited to physical violence.

Some amendments to the laws have made it illegal to restrict finances, stopping a partner from seeing family or friends, and controlling what you wear among many more factors.

Berkshire Women Aid works to enable people living with the devastating impact of domestic abuse to make choices about their future and to rebuild safe and strong lives, free from abuse.

They provide a 24 hour helpline, refugee accommodation and outreach services for victims in Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell and West Berkshire.

It can reportedly take up to 35 attempts for a victim to first talk about their abuse.

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Ms West said: “Last year we provided direct outreach and or refuge support to over 8,000 adult survivors of domestic abuse, having to turn away those who we don’t have the capacity to help and trying to signpost them to refuge spaces elsewhere in the country.”

Although they do not provide refugee accommodation for male victims of abuse, they can help direct victims to any of the 31 male refuges across the country.

Berkshire Women Aid also provides services for children and young people directly impacted by domestic abuse.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing an abusive relationship, please go to berkshirewomensaid.org.uk or call their 24 hour helpline on 0118 950 0182