Commissioner Supporting Safety Net’s Coercion and Control Conference

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall is attending Safety Net’s Coercion and Control Conference at the People First Centre, Carlisle, CA2 5X on 12 March at 10am.

Coercive control became a criminal offence in 2015 and involves acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other forms of abuse used to harm, punish or frighten a victim. The Coercive Control Law supports the police to bring offenders to justice and to ensure victims have the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Coercive or controlling behaviour does not relate to a single incident. It is a purposeful pattern of incidents that occur over time, which enables the offender to exert power and control. This controlling behaviour makes the victim dependent, by isolating them from support, exploiting them and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall comments:  “The law means victims who experience serious psychological and emotional abuse, can bring their perpetrators to justice.

“Many people may not recognise they are victims and we need to raise awareness about this life altering criminal behavior. Knowing how to spot the signs of coercive and controlling behaviours, either in our own or other people’s lives, is a good thing.

Safety Net (UK) comment: “We are proud to be delivering a conference to highlight the abuse at the core of domestic abuse – coercive control.

“This controlling behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour, violence and fear are used to perpetuate this.

“Bringing together speakers from the fields of policing, education and research, service delivery, the legal profession and personal experience, we aim to raise awareness and shine a spotlight on this often hidden and unreported form of abuse.

“By coming together and enhancing comprehension of coercive control, we hope that professional and individuals can apply this knowledge to their own practice, improving knowledge of this subject and providing superior support throughout Cumbria.”

Rob Ewin, Detective Sergeant said: “As a force we have a number of technical and investigative options for examining coercive and controlling behaviours. We also follow a research-led approach, meaning that a number of options are explored with those undertaking investigations, for example: the eight stage ‘Homicide Timeline’ by Dr. Jane Monckton-Smith, ‘Approaches to men as victims’ from Dr. Elizabeth Bates and ‘Contextual Safeguarding’ by Dr. Carlene Firmin MBE.

“We continue to work with partners to make sure that victims feel confident in reporting this type of behaviour and our staff are  equipped to deal with investigations.”