New law already helping hundreds of domestic abuse victims across Manchester
A new law introduced in 2015 aimed to recognise victims who are having their lives controlled by others - often being isolated from everyday life.
Last updated 28th Dec 2018
Greater Manchester Police has recorded 1,597 crimes involving coercive and controlling behaviour since a new domestic abuse law was introduced at the end of 2015.
It recognises victims who are subjected to repeated or continuous coercive or controlling behaviour by a family member or someone they are or have been in a relationship with and provides greater safeguarding outcomes with offenders facing up to five years imprisonment.
Between 1 December 2017 and 30 November 2018, GMP dealt with 823 crimes where coercive and controlling behaviour was a factor – nearly 1 in 10 of these resulted in a criminal justice outcome such as a charge, caution or community resolution.
It's claimed 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse in their life time, but that it's not always in the form of physical violence.
Police say victims of coercive and controlling behaviour can often appear confident, while in reality their partner can seek to isolate them from friends and family, control aspects of their everyday life and deprive them of their independence.
'A long way to go'
Detective Superintendent Denise Worth from Greater Manchester Police said: “The introduction of the Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Act has created more awareness around this lesser known side of domestic abuse and encouraged more victims to come forward, but we know we still have a long way to go.
“The pressures of the festive season often lead to an increase in domestic abuse incidents and many people will be suffering in silence as they attempt to get through the Christmas and New Year period.
“Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right it might not be. If you feel that a family member, friend or colleagues is being controlled, or in a violent relationship, please report it. You could be saving a life.”
Empowering victims
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes said: “Domestic abuse isn’t just physical violence. Controlling what someone wears, their money, where they go, who they talk to is just as damaging and is abuse.
“The introduction of the coercive and controlling behaviour act in 2015, together with the ongoing positive work across Greater Manchester to tackle domestic abuse is sending a strong and empowering message to those who are suffering in silence that they are not alone.
“As we get ready to begin a New Year, now is a good time for people to take a hard look at their relationship and make that first step to ask for help. Support is available and please remember we are sitting right with you, whether you want to involve the police or not.”
Anyone who feels that they are being abused by a partner, ex-partner or a family member can approach their GP or nurse for help.
The Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline is available to offer support for victims on 0161 636 7525 - Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm (excluding bank holidays). Alternatively the National Domestic Violence Helpline is available on 0808 2000 247 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To report domestic abuse to the police, please call 101 or contact us via the LiveChat facility on the GMP website: www.gmp.police.uk
Always call 999 in an emergency.