The Reality of Coercive Control

Granada
Wednesday 4 March 2020 at 12:50pm

Video report by Anna Youssef

Coronation Street has long had a reputation for tackling important issues and the current storyline involving Geoff and his wife Yasmeen has certainly got people talking.

Geoff's coercive control and psychological torture of his wife has been building for a while as he plots to control all aspects of her life.

Coercive control became a crime in 2015 and offenders can face up to five years in prison.

But conviction rates are less than 10% with more than half of victims refusing to support a prosecution.

Anna Youssef spoke to four women from Liverpool dealing with the reality of coercive control.

Charlotte, survivor of domestic abuse

Dr Emma Katz, coercive control expert

Julie Waring, Morecrofts Solicitors

Morecrofts are running a major domestic violence conference in Liverpool on Thursday 5th March. Click herefor more info.

Det Ch Insp Bev Hyland, Merseyside Police

We are training all our staff in terms of recognising Coercive control. It is a complex issue. It is much more subtle than other forms of domestic abuse. We want to be in a position where we can charge and bring more perpetrators to justice. Fifty percent of our victims do not support a prosecution and there is lots of work ongoing in relation to trying to bring victims to support a prosecution. What we say to our staff is at the scene of a domestic incident if a victim doesn't support a prosecution that is even more reason why we should proactively investigate and gather that evidence through body cams etc. .... so we have had a huge drive on Merseyside and what I can say is we are progressing a number of evidence lead prosecutions through the courts.

SIGNS OF COERCIVE CONTROL
Being stopped from working or going to school/college/university
Having money taken away or controlled
Being isolated from friends and family
Having access to food, drinks and day-to-day products restricted
Having social media accounts monitored or controlled
Being told what to should wear
Being threatened with violence if the individual does not behave in a certain way
Having threats made to loved ones or pets

HELP AND SUPPORT

Domestic violence is a crime.

If you are in immediate danger always call the police, and always dial 999 if it is an emergency.

24hr Domestic Violence Helpline(run in partnership between Refuge and Women's Aid)Freephone: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)

Women's Aid Federation of EnglandHelpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)

Refuge Helpline0808 2000 247 (24 hours)

The HideoutWebsite for children and young people witnessing domestic violence.

Mankind HelplineThe Mankind Initiative supports male victims of domestic violence, though it helps all callers regardless of sex, race or sexual orientation. Call 01823 334244

Broken RainbowFreephone: 0800 999 5428 National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline provides confidential support to all members of the LGBT communities.

Men's Advice LineHelpline: 0808 801 0327Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 10pm

Men's AidHelpline: 0871 223 9986 (8am to 8pm daily)Provides free practical advice and support to men who have been abused.