Imperfect Women, the Apple TV+ thriller starring Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara, debuted on 18 March 2026 and immediately reached number 2 in the UK charts. The show's central theme — a murder unravelling to expose years of coercive control — has sparked a wider conversation. Many viewers are realising, sometimes for the first time, that what they once experienced in a relationship had a name, and a law.
What the show gets right about coercive control
The series follows three long-time friends whose bond fractures after one of them, Nancy, is found dead. As the investigation unfolds, it reveals a pattern of behaviour that felt normal from the inside: a compliment that lands too heavily, an argument reframed until the victim is apologising for nothing, a memory contradicted until she doubts herself.
This is coercive control. Not a single violent act, but a sustained campaign of manipulation designed to strip away autonomy.
Review after review has praised the show for depicting this dynamic with unusual accuracy. As one Variety critic noted: the tactics are "lovebombing, gaslighting, triangulation — presented in an incremental, realistic manner rather than heightened drama." That realism is precisely why the show is resonating so deeply in the UK.
The law: what coercive control actually means in England and Wales
England and Wales became the first nations in the world to criminalise coercive control as a specific offence, under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, which came into force in December 2015.
The law defines it as "an intentional pattern of behaviour which takes place over time, in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another." Crucially, it does not require physical violence. Common examples include:
- Monitoring movements, messages or finances
- Restricting contact with friends and family
- Controlling what the victim wears or eats
- Gaslighting — making someone question their own memory or perception
- Using children to exert control
- Threatening exposure of private information
The maximum sentence is 5 years' imprisonment.
A dramatic rise in prosecutions
The statistics tell a story of growing recognition. According to the Office for National Statistics, police-recorded coercive control offences in England and Wales rose to 49,557 in the year ending March 2025 — a 9.3% increase on the previous year, and a massive leap from the 198 charges brought in 2016, the law's first full year of operation.
By the first half of 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service was bringing 3,149 charges in six months alone. Of 853 offenders convicted in 2024, 97.5% were male.
But prosecutions remain only a fraction of actual cases. Between 60% and 80% of women seeking domestic abuse support report having experienced coercive control, according to Women's Aid. The gap between lived experience and legal action remains enormous.
Why victims find it hard to leave — and to report
One of the most powerful aspects of Imperfect Women is its depiction of why victims stay. Coercive control is not a single decision. It is a gradual erosion of self that makes leaving feel impossible, dangerous or even wrong.
The DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based Violence) risk model, used by UK police since 2009, identifies behavioural patterns that indicate escalating danger. These include: extreme jealousy, isolation from support networks, threats of suicide by the abuser, and control of basic needs like money, food and housing.
Victims often describe a moment of clarity — frequently triggered by something external, like a conversation with a trusted professional — where they recognise the pattern for the first time.
What a solicitor can do
For those who have experienced coercive control and are considering legal action, the process can feel overwhelming. A family law or criminal law solicitor can:
- Advise on whether specific behaviours meet the legal threshold under Section 76
- Help obtain a Non-Molestation Order or Occupation Order for immediate protection
- Assist with evidence-gathering (text messages, financial records, witness accounts)
- Explain how the criminal process works, including whether to pursue a private prosecution
- Advise on parental rights and child custody where children are involved
As of March 2026, new sentencing guidelines came into force, establishing a statutory presumption of suspension for sentences of 12 months or less — meaning perpetrators with no prior convictions may receive suspended sentences. This has prompted debate about deterrence, and legal advice becomes even more critical when navigating sentencing expectations.
Important: If you are in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency support, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 2000 247 (Refuge/Women's Aid).
Recognising it in your own life
Imperfect Women works because its scenarios are recognisable. Many viewers watching the show are quietly identifying patterns from their own past or present. Here are some questions worth asking:
- Does your partner monitor your phone, finances, or location without consent?
- Do you find yourself apologising constantly, even when you have done nothing wrong?
- Have you lost contact with friends or family since the relationship began?
- Do you feel afraid of your partner's reactions to ordinary things?
If the answer to any of these is yes, speaking to a professional can help you understand your situation more clearly — without pressure or judgment.
Legal experts at Expert Zoom can provide confidential advice on your rights and the steps available to you.
Sources: Serious Crime Act 2015 (UK Legislation), Office for National Statistics, Crown Prosecution Service (2025), Women's Aid, IMDb, Variety (March 2026).
