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.”