Last updated on March 7th, 2017 at 11:34 am

Recognising patterns of abuse

The guidance, developed by the College of Policing, will help officers to recognise patterns of domestic abuse and will include a ‘toolkit’ for first line officers (those who are usually first at the scene of a domestic violence incident). Call handlers and police station counter staff will receive checklists that can be used when contacted by a victim.

Officers will also be given guidance on bringing prosecutions based on evidence; not having to rely on victims to build their own cases.

For the first time, senior police officers are advised that they need to maintain specialist staff to deal with domestic abuse and provide ways of ensuring that victims understand the support system.

Police response vital

Support organisations have welcomed the news. The chief executive of Women’s Aid, Polly Neale, told the BBC that it was ‘vital that police officers understood coercive control to help them identify victims’.

Nicola Cancellara

Family law solicitor, Nicola Cancellara, says: “Domestic abuse is a huge issue. According to Women’s Aid 1.2 million women suffer every day in England and Wales and 2 women are killed every week. The level of police response to complaints of abuse is a huge factor in ensuring it is tackled effectively. Coercive control can be difficult to recognise. The new guidance, including tool kit and checklists, can only be a positive move if it helps officers spot the signs early. Guidance on bringing prosecutions without the victim’s testimony will be a great step forward too. At the moment success often depends upon those testimonies, and, naturally, victims are often too scared to give them.”

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