A LEADING domestic abuse action charity has raised concerns about the small number of prosecutions in Dorset coercive control cases after a 23 per cent increase in arrests.

In 2018, Dorset Police made 99 arrests for someone engaged in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, up from 80 in 2017.

However, just 11 charge or summons were issued last year, with 47 cases leading to no further police action being taken.

Similarly in 2017, of the 80 arrests made 55 led to no further action with 11 charge or summons.

Sian Hawkins, head of campaigns and public affairs at Women’s Aid, said: “All too often abuse that does not leave bruises is not taken seriously enough.

"We know from our work with survivors that coercive control is at the heart of domestic abuse; 61 per cent of survivors supported by Women’s Aid member services had experienced controlling behaviour.

"Despite coercive control being made a criminal offence over three years ago, it continues to be a largely misunderstood and underreported crime.

“Although we are pleased to see an uplift in the number of arrests being made by Dorset Police year-on-year, these figures are still too low given the number of survivors experiencing this form of abuse, which matches the national trend across police forces.

"We are also concerned that the majority of these arrests are continuing to result in no further action being taken. This can leave survivors and their children at serious risk and reduce their confidence in reporting to the police."

Controlling and coercive behaviour is domestic abuse and is illegal. It was introduced as a criminal offence in December 2015 to close the gap in the law around patterns of controlling or coercive behaviour, which amounts to psychological and emotional abuse, but stops short of physical abuse.

Detective Sergeant Simon Cramp, of Dorset Police's domestic abuse investigation team, said: “Controlling or coercive behaviour can cause significant harm to victims and their children.

"It is a priority for Dorset Police to support victims of any form of domestic abuse, encourage the reporting of these crimes and work to bring those who inflict abuse to justice. Perpetrators need to know that reports of this sort of abuse will be pursued and investigated."

Dorset Police worked with various organisations to raise awareness of controlling and coercive behaviour through a series of animated films, titled Cut Your Strings.

“We want victims to have the confidence in reporting these offences to us," DS Camp added.

"You do not need to suffer in silence and be subjected to sustained patterns of abuse. There is help and support available and I urge anyone who is affected by controlling or coercive behaviour, or any other abuse, to seek help and report it.”

Reporting Concerns

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or if you know someone who is, there are many organisations that can help. Call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on: 0808 2000 247 or visit: www.dorsetforyou.com/dvahelp and womensaid.org.uj