What are the signs of post separation abuse?

Post separation abuse refers to continuing or escalating abusive behaviours by an ex-partner after a relationship has ended. Abusers can use tactics to harm their ex-partner directly, while other tactics may be indirect, such as using children to harm the victim. Some signs of post-separation abuse include:

Coercive control – This is a form of domestic abuse that isn’t always physical. It involves a pattern of acts used to dominate, intimidate, frighten, and control another person. These include insults, threats and isolation.

Counter-parenting – This is where the abuser undermines the parenting of the victim. It can include alienating the child against the victim, refusing to comply with Court Orders or parenting arrangements, or bad-mouthing the victim.

Financial abuse involves the control of money, finances, and resources with the aim of limiting the victim’s independence. This could include withholding child maintenance, or repeated legal proceedings so the victim racks up large legal fees to drain their financial resources.

Using technology to control, intimidate, coerce, threaten, or harm the victim. This can include using spyware, harassing the victim with a large number of calls, emails, or messages, or threatening to publish intimate images.

Stalking by using surveillance, or apps to monitor the victims location or activities.