Kildare experts advise people on how to spot the signs of Coercive Control
Coercive control can be "low level small things" which can be hard to identify, according to Teach Tearmainn.
"They [abusers] do things through fear and intimidation, women are often fearful of leaving these relationships," explained CEO Lorraine Rowan.
"Something we see quite frequently is abusers threatening to release intimate images or videos, if they leave the relationship, they'll do this.
"It also comes down to controlling friendships, access to activities like meeting up with friend's for coffee, insults, controlling family finances.
"Ultimately it's a pattern of behaviours that disempower people in relationships," she added.
CEO of the Women's refuge centre in Kildare, Lorraine Rowan spoke to Eoin Beatty on Monday morning's Kildare Today, along with Detective Sergeant Sinéad Hennigan and Superintendent Oliver Henry of Naas Garda Station,listen back to the full interview here: