Massachusetts law now recognizes the unfortunate reality that abuse goes beyond just physical. It can be economic or psychological, too.

With the recent 2024 amendment to the law on abuse prevention orders (aka restraining orders), Massachusetts became the seventh state in the United States to add “coercive control” to the definition of abuse, and coercive control is now a basis for obtaining a restraining order.

Under M.G.L. c. 209A, you must experience abuse by a family or household member to obtain a restraining order. Until recently, abuse was limited to what most think of as “physical” acts: specifically, an attempt to cause physical harm, actual physical harm, placing a victim in fear of imminent serious physical harm, or causing the victim to involuntarily engage in sexual activity. Now, abuse also encompasses behavior falling under the definition of “coercive control” which makes it easier for victims to be able to get an Order. What Coercive Control includes is financial control, isolating the victim from their loved ones, or threatening to provide inappropriate images to other people. It can also include psychological abuse.