COLUMBIA, S.C. (WMBF) - A bill in the South Carolina Senate would further define and make what’s known as “coercive control” a crime in the state.

S. 588, filed Tuesday by Republican Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, would create the offense of “coercive control over another person” in South Carolina.

It defines coercive behavior as “an act or pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation, manipulation, intimidation, or other abuse, including emotional abuse, that is used to harm, punish, or frighten another person by fraudulent representations.”

“When people think of domestic abuse, they think of just violence. They think of physical bruises and injuries, but there’s so much more to domestic abuse as far as the emotional control,” said Bruce Mallick with the Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry Counties.

Mallick told WMBF News last year, his organization received over 800 calls to its hotline and on a monthly basis, has 90 to 100 visits.

But, he said not all victims have been through physical abuse-- many have been isolated and emotionally manipulated by their abusers.

But, Goldfinch said right now, South Carolina state law makes it difficult for non-violent abusers to be apprehended.

“Right now, as the law is written, it’s a fine line and a hard line for a police officer or solicitor to try to prosecute when someone, especially who’s in a marital relationship, to try to determine, ‘well, you haven’t been hit. You know, this person isn’t being abusive or violent with you.’” said Goldfinch.

Closing those loopholes is the reason Goldfinch filed the bill, which he said has already made him realize just how widespread the coercion problem is.

“I’ve had probably eight or 10 different women Facebook message me or email me and thank me for it and told me that they had experienced similar problems, told me that they had moved out of town or moved out of state because of such a thing, said Goldfinch.

And, those at the Family Justice Center said they are supportive of the legislation, and feel it may help more survivors come forward.

“Any kind of legislation that would have a client feel more comfortable coming to us because they feel like their story would be supported ad believed by law enforcement or any other agency is beneficial to the Family Justice Center,” said Mallick.

The proposal also outlines what’s considered “controlling behavior,” which includes “a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate or dependent by isolating the person from sources of support, exploiting the person’s resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving the person of the means needed for independence, resistance, or escape, or regulating the person’s everyday behavior.”

The bill lists specific examples of the type of behavior and evidence that could be gathered in a coercive control case.

After being introduced on Tuesday, the bill was referred to the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee. It’s unclear when it will be discussed there.

Goldfinch told WMBF News it is possible the bill won’t be taken up for consideration until next legislative session, which begins in January.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.