New laws to protect victims of domestic violence come into effect today.
The Domestic Violence Act creates a new offence of coercive control which offers protection from psychological abuse.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said the Act is a hugely important step forward.
Noeleen Blackwell, CEO, said: "Before you had to use other crimes like assault, coercion or blackmail but you now have a specific crime of domestic violence which is called coercive control."
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