Police target controlling behaviour

DOMESTIC abuse campaign Scratch

A CLAMPDOWN on domestic abuse is under way as Greater Manchester Police show zero tolerance towards coercive and controlling behaviour in relationships.

Yesterday GMP launched a month long initiative - Operation Scratch - which will reinforce its fight against domestic abuse by raising awareness, capturing criminals wanted for domestic abuse offences and encouraging people to recognise the signs in their own or someone else's relationship.

As well as raising awareness the initiative will see GMP officers working together to reach out to communities by urging them to report suspicions and seek support.

The operation comes following a change in the law eight months ago that made coercive and controlling behaviour in relationships illegal - GMP has since investigated 55 reports under the new legislation.

Following the change in legislation victims who are subjected to coercive and controlling behaviour in relationships can bring their perpetrators to justice with incidents that stop short of serious physical violence but amount to extreme psychological and emotional abuse.

As part of the campaign, officers will give the public scratch cards which will reveal different levels of controlling behaviour as the sections are scratched away.

Specially trained officers will also share their knowledge across the force during training sessions for front line officers who deal with domestic abuse first hand.

GMP Det Chief Supt Paul Rumney said: "It's really important that we reinforce our commitment to tackling all forms of domestic abuse but in particular that we show people that we are taking the new coercive and controlling behaviour law seriously.

"These offenders have committed horrific crimes against people that are close to them, something that we will absolutely not tolerate. They will feel the full force of the law when we catch them.

"Coercive and controlling behaviour has a huge impact on victims and we must do everything that we can to support them if they come forward."

Domestic abuse is relatively unreported and GMP are looking to break the stigma that victims feel their problems will not be believed.

DCS Rumney said: "We know that domestic abuse is sometimes less likely to be reported to the police as victims may feel that they won't be believed. It is therefore vital that we take a stand against these kind of crimes and that we invest the time and work into ensuring our front line officers are fully equipped to deal with incidents so that victims receive the best possible support.

He added: "We work closely with our partners to do this but efforts such as this go some way to keep domestic abuse at the top of our agenda."

For more information visit gmp.police.uk/domesticabuse or to contact your local domestic abuse unit call the GMP switchboard on 101 or in an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life call 999.