Coronation Street announced a major new storyline for Geoff Metcalfe and Yasmeen Nazir last month, confirming that the soap will be exploring the issue of coercive control.
Eagle-eyed soap fans had already spotted some suspicious signs that something wasn't right in the couple's relationship, but the announcement coincided with Geoff's unsettling behaviour starting to become less subtle.
So, what is coercive control and why is it an issue that needs to be tackled? Read on to find out more.
What is coercive control?
Coercive control is defined by Women's Aid as controlling behaviour that is "designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour". By exploring this storyline, Coronation Street is hoping to highlight that domestic abuse isn't always physical.
Examples of coercive behaviour include monitoring a partner's time and movements, controlling their finances, depriving them of basic needs, and isolating them from friends and family.
Other examples include putting a partner down or trying to humiliate them, trying to make them feel worthless, taking control of what they wear, making threats and being intimidating.
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The Crown Prosecution Website also states: "Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.
"Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour."
Channel 4's Hollyoaks has also explored the issue in recent memory, as Grace Black was targeted by her abusive partner Glenn Donovan.
Is coercive control a crime?
Since 2015, coercive or controlling behaviour has been officially classed as a criminal offence. Announcing the news in December that year, the government explained that those who "experience the type of behaviour that stops short of serious physical violence, but amounts to extreme psychological and emotional abuse" would be able to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The offence of coercive control can lead to a prison sentence up to five years, a fine, or both.
What are the warning signs in Geoff and Yasmeen's relationship?
Even prior to the official announcement, Coronation Street had been subtly exploring this storyline for Geoff and Yasmeen.
Back in May, self-centred Geoff assumed that Yasmeen would be his assistant for his "lady in a box" act at the Rovers Return. When Yasmeen pointed out that she'd be at work and he hadn't given her any notice, Geoff successfully made her feel guilty and manipulated her into apologising – even though she'd done nothing wrong.
In early June, Geoff interfered over Yasmeen's involvement in Sally's horse syndicate, wanting her to pull out. He crossed the line by speaking to Sally about the issue and making out it was on behalf of his partner.
More recent scenes have seen Geoff try to make Yasmeen feel worthless by questioning her on her alcohol intake and falsely suggesting that her friends see her as someone who drinks too much. He has also tried to isolate Yasmeen from her granddaughter Alya by encouraging the young businesswoman to move out.
Geoff has used Yasmeen's recent mugging ordeal to his advantage, claiming that she should stay indoors and let him be her "protector".
He also staged a robbery at the Nazir house to cause problems between Yasmeen and Alya and to make his partner feel less safe, and has just started to take control over her finances under the guise of finding her better deals.
Where does Geoff and Yasmeen's storyline go from here?
Coronation Street bosses have revealed that Geoff's behaviour will escalate further in the coming weeks, as he sets up CCTV equipment at the house and tries to monitor Yasmeen's every move.
Yasmeen will remain unaware she is being controlled, and despite some concerns from Alya, Geoff is able to deceive those closest to her.
Coronation Street's producer Iain MacLeod recently explained: "It's common for people to think abusive behaviour has to be physical - but you can damage someone profoundly without laying a finger on them.
"Many thousands of people feel trapped in relationships with someone who claims to love them but who is actually taking them apart piece by piece, isolating them from friends and family and locking them in an invisible prison of fear and insecurity.
"Often, the abusive behaviours accumulate and intensify over time so that you don’t realise it's happening - it’s an insidious type of brainwashing.
"I hope this story will help anyone going through similar experiences in the real world by highlighting that feeling undermined, belittled, controlled or intimidated by your partner is never okay. The old 'sticks and stones' adage is just plain wrong - words can be instruments of torture and manipulation."
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV.
Organisations including Women's Aid can provide further support and information on coercive control or coercive behaviour.
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