In Columbia, South Carolina, a new legislative proposal seeks to amend existing laws by introducing a criminal offense termed “coercive control.” This bill also aims to expand the definition of who is considered a household member under the state’s domestic violence laws.

Currently, domestic violence charges in South Carolina typically hinge on incidents of physical injury, attempted harm, or threats between individuals classified as household members. These members often include spouses, cohabitants, or individuals sharing parenting responsibilities.

However, the law does not currently recognize nonphysical forms of abuse, such as emotional manipulation or social isolation, as independent criminal offenses.

The new bill intends to address this gap by criminalizing coercive control directed at a household member.

Coercive control is characterized in the bill as a consistent pattern of behavior that undermines another person’s autonomy and freedom. Examples include isolating the individual from their social network, limiting their financial resources, monitoring their communications, employing degrading language, issuing threats, or maintaining control through fear and intimidation.

The bill would also expand the definition of a household member to include people who are currently in, or were previously in, a dating relationship, even if they never lived together.

State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown), the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation reflects a more proactive approach to addressing domestic abuse before it escalates into physical violence.

Advocates said coercive control is often a warning sign in cases that later become violent.

“There are many nonphysical forms of violence that are just as devastating and effective at controlling and harming someone,” said Tricia Ravenhorst, general counsel for the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Beyond criminal law, the bill would also make several changes to family law. The measure would add criminal domestic violence, stalking, and harassment as grounds for divorce.

It would also expand the legal definition of “abuse” in family court to include coercive control, stalking, and harassment.

In child custody cases, the bill would require courts to consider whether a parent has engaged in domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or coercive behavior when determining the best interests of a child.

The bill would bring South Carolina law in line with federal standards that already recognize coercion in cases such as human trafficking.

Questions have been raised about how coercive control would be proven in court, but Ravenhorst and Goldfinch said patterns of behavior and documented evidence can be used to build a case.

The bill has been referred to committee and is expected to be considered when lawmakers return to Columbia in 2026.