David used an online webchat service to speak to a domestic abuse advisor who informed him that this behaviour was unacceptable in LGBT relationships, in the same way it is unacceptable in heterosexual relationships. They also told David about his options for seeking further support, and practical advice on how he could end the relationship in the safest way possible should he wish to, as well as how to report this behaviour to the police. Harry was later charged with controlling or coercive behaviour. Potential of proceeding with a prosecution without the victim’s live evidence (evidence-led prosecutions)

However, if you’re after a simple mixer that’s capable of completing most jobs without needing an experienced eye watching over it, then the Morphy Richards 400015 Total Control Stand Mixer is a good fit. And it won’t break the bank, either. Verdict The behaviour in question is perpetrated against a child under 16 by someone aged 16 or over who has responsibility for that child (see subsection (3)). This is because the criminal law, in particular the child cruelty/neglect offence in Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, [footnote 61] covers controlling or coercive behaviour, making it an offence to cause a child emotional or psychological suffering, including through exposure to domestic abuse. It should also be noted that Section 3 of the 2021 Act recognises that domestic abuse can impact on a child who sees, hears, or experiences the effects of the abuse and it treats such children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right, where they are related to either the victim or perpetrator.Specialist domestic abuse services’ primary aim is to support the victim with emotional and practical support identified based on individual risks and needs. This may include supporting the victim to engage with the criminal justice process. Providing specialist support can assist in enabling the victim to feel safe and empowered to continue with criminal proceedings, which may prevent the victim from withdrawing from a case. It is important that wider patterns of behaviour and/or offending are considered, including the wider context of the relationship. The restrictive nature of controlling or coercive behaviour means that, in the context of ongoing abuse, victims can be limited in their ability to exercise autonomy. Many have a sense that the perpetrator is everywhere, knows about everything that they are doing and have come to believe the perpetrator’s negative view of them. This narrowing of options can lead to a victim’s ability to make decisions, act or implement change, being limited. [footnote 44] This should inform practice when working with victims of controlling or coercive behaviour, particularly in aiding what questions should be asked. When David tried to challenge Harry, Harry threatened to tell David’s friends what he was “really like” if he tried to end their relationship. Harry also said he would tell David’s family about this alleged cheating. David felt completely controlled by Harry and when he disagreed with him, Harry would become violent and further threaten his relationships with friends and family. Whilst a charge for controlling or coercive behaviour can be made without the presence of physical violence or sexual assault, police officers should always consider pursuing controlling or coercive behaviour cases where appropriate, when violence is identified. David, who was in a relationship with Harry, had recently started a new job and through this, made a new group of friends. David started spending more time with this new group of friends and regularly went out clubbing with them. Harry started to question David about why he was spending so much time with these friends, when he already had a boyfriend and accused him of cheating. When David denied this, Harry hit him across the face. Harry justified his behaviour claiming that when partners are the same sex, it is not uncommon for arguments to get physical but that he would never intentionally hurt David.

Section 2 provides further detail on what constitutes controlling or coercive behaviour, guidance on identifying and evidencing the offence, including: conducting appropriate risk assessments; an overview of tactics used by perpetrators; and information on where the offence does not apply and where other offences should be considered. When investigating controlling or coercive behaviour, all of the following criteria must be met for the offence to apply: Setting up the Total Control was initially a little fiddly. The bowl cover had to be attached first, and although it had rubber fittings to keep it in place, it had a tendency to fall off when the mixer head was raised. We finished by whipping three egg whites on the automatic Egg no 1 programme using the whisk. This programme ran for just over 4 minutes at a high speed.

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CPS legal guidance confirms that the prosecution strategy should, from the outset, consider the possibility of proceeding without the victim’s support. In these instances, consideration should be given to the evidence in the case and whether there is enough to proceed without the victim’s live evidence. There can be many possible reasons why a victim of domestic abuse may no longer support a case and it is essential not to blame the victim as this could dissuade future reporting. [footnote 48] Reasons that a victim may no longer support a case can include, but are not limited to: The night of the assault, Daniel couldn’t sleep and was late for school the next day. He couldn’t concentrate and worried all day about his mum. The assault on Simone happened two days before Daniel’s 10th birthday. Daniel’s grandmother had paid for Daniel to go bowling for his birthday but Daniel didn’t want to go because he was too embarrassed to let his friends see his mum’s broken jaw and bruises. As Andrew controlled the household budget, Simone didn’t have access to any of the family finances and so couldn’t even take Daniel out for a meal on his birthday. Res gestae - statements made by the victim or a witness to a third party, during or shortly after the time that the offence was committed, that are directly linked to the events occurring, so as to make it unlikely that they were distorted or concocted, may be admissible as hearsay evidence; Attempting to frustrate or interfere with a police investigation, including attempting to undermine the victim’s statements by, for example, claiming that they are mentally ill;

There are circumstances where acts of controlling or coercive behaviour may have taken place, but it is not possible for the offence to be charged. The offence does not apply where: Once the programme had finished, the machine stopped by itself. The dough was beautifully elastic and consistent, and rose well when baked. Threatening to ‘out’ the victim as a form of control or coercion, telling the victim that they will not be believed because they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans, or manipulating the victim’s knowledge of what support is available for LGBT people and using myths and stereotypes around LGBT domestic abuse to make professionals believe that abuse between same-sex couples does not exist; The offence of controlling or coercive behaviour applies in England and Wales, but it should be noted that the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) has the legislative competence to legislate for Wales in this area. Devolved bodies and local organisations in Wales should therefore refer to the relevant Welsh legislation, in relation to devolved matters, such as the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015, the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Strategy and associated guidance, which are referenced throughout this document. We would expect both devolved and non-devolved organisations to continue to work together to implement the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, where relevant. In identifying controlling or coercive behaviour, it is important to consider the context in which the behaviour is taking place, in particular:Making false allegations to statutory agencies (e.g. Police, Children’s Services, Jobcentre, Child Maintenance Services); Targeting people who might be vulnerable (there may be evidence of this from previous relationships). [footnote 53] whether either party has made threats to another party, child or another family or household member; A) The controlling or coercive behaviour must take place “repeatedly’’ (on two or more occasions) or “continuously” (on an ongoing basis). Behaviour displayed on only one occasion would not amount to repeated or continuous behaviour and courts will look for evidence of behaviour that has occurred on two or more occasions, or a pattern of behaviour established over a period of time. As much evidence as possible must therefore be gathered to show that the behaviour has occurred on two or more occasions, is repetitive or continuous in nature. A victim’s statement must include the impact of the behaviour on the victim, including the way in which their behaviour may have changed as a result of the offending. This is key to the evidence gathering.

Selecting the programme was easy – the button lit up, then we turned the control dial to 1. This kneaded the dough for 10 minutes on a low speed, making it a far easier process than doing it by hand. The amendment to the controlling or coercive behaviour offence came into force on 5 April 2023 and does not apply retrospectively. This means that charges cannot be brought in relation to post-separation abuse that has occurred before the date the amended offence comes into force. If you are unsure of whether the amendment to the controlling or coercive behaviour offence may apply in a specific case, in the first instance, speak to a specialist domestic abuse police officer. Police may also seek further Early Investigative Advice from the CPS. [footnote 6] When installed by a Worcester Bosch Accredited Installer with a Greenstar System Filter. The Greenstar 1000 and Greenstar 2000 guarantee is available as standard to both Excelerate members and non-WAI's, when fitted with any brand of system filter. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to Annex E for further examples of reasons for retractions and withdrawals by victims. For further information, please also refer to:Breaking or adjusting devices or account settings to confuse, upset and intimidate the victim e.g. remotely adjusting the heating temperature through an internet-connected thermostat; Preventing the victim from taking medication, or accessing medical equipment, or over-medicating them; and A glossary of acronyms used throughout this guidance can be found in Annex H. Section 1 – Purpose of this guidance Aims of the guidance This guidance extends to England and to reserved matters in Wales. Any persons or agencies using this guidance must also be familiar with the Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance. This guidance, to be read alongside relevant legislation and strategies, should be referred to by Welsh agencies or devolved bodies discharging functions which are reserved to the UK Government (policing and criminal, civil and family justice matters). D) The perpetrator and victim have to be personally connected when the abuse took place. Please refer to Annex C for the 2021 Act’s definition of “personally connected’’. Types of behaviour