Merseyside Fire and Rescue supports ‘Escape the Control’ campaign to help tackle domestic abuse

Merseyside Fire and Rescue supports ‘Escape the Control’ campaign to help tackle domestic abuse

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with Knowsley and Sefton Councils to support a new campaign aimed at helping people spot the signs of controlling behaviour and domestic abuse.

Two fire engines from the service have had their liveries updated as part of the ‘Escape the Control’ campaign, including important messages and details on how people can find out more information. Taxis and buses in the area will also feature similar messages.

Controlling money, always criticising and being purposely isolated from friends and family are just some of the examples being highlighted as ‘coercive control’ in a new campaign on domestic abuse to be launched across Knowsley and Sefton from July 23.

‘Escape the Control’, which is being run jointly by Knowsley and Sefton Councils, aims to help people understand how extreme controlling behaviour is Domestic Abuse and what signs to look out for, if concerned about friends or family.

Coercive control is an act, or a pattern of acts such as threats, humiliation and intimidation that is used to punish or frighten the victim. This can include things like controlling where they go and what they do, or exaggerated expressions of love such as they ‘can’t live without you’. In 2015, coercive control became a crime in England and Wales, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine.

Posters and leaflets explaining the signs to look out for will be available from next week in GP and Health Centres, Leisure Centres, Dentists, Hairdressers and many more everyday locations where victims and those worried about others can access them without having to go through official channels.

‘Escape the Control’ will also be featured across local buses, taxis and fire engines in Knowsley and Sefton.

Group Manager Mark Thomas from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our communities are at the heart of everything that we do and when we can have a positive impact to make our communities safer then we will do so.

“Like our partners, we recognise that domestic violence in all its forms is unacceptable and we are very happy to support this campaign through branding of our fire appliances and raising awareness.”

Councillor Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods for Knowsley Borough Council says:

“Insight from Knowsley and Sefton indicates that although anyone can experience domestic abuse irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, the majority of cases are amongst women under 35.

“We need to ensure that people understand that extreme controlling behaviour such as telling what you can and can’t eat, or what you can or can’t wear, is domestic abuse and where they can find more information and support.”

Domestic Abuse is an issue which affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men, accounting for 16% of all violent crime, with more repeat victims than any other crime. (British Crime Survey).

Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Trish Hardy, says:

“The number of people accessing domestic abuse support services continues to increase, with the number of high-risk clients being supported increasing by 63% between 2013/14 and

2014/15. Extreme controlling behaviour or coercive control often begins very slowly and can be hard to understand. We want people to be aware of the signs, both for themselves and for friends and family and to know what to do in that situation.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Emily Spurrell, says:

“I welcome this new campaign to highlight the signs of controlling behaviour and how individuals can help themselves or others. Everyone has the right to live free of fear.

“If you are unreasonably under suspicion from your partner or a member of your family to the point where you are unable to remain in contact with your circle of friends; if you are constantly questioned about who you were talking to or who you were texting; perhaps you have no access to money, even the money you earn. This is coercive control which is domestic abuse and that is a crime. Merseyside Police take coercive control extremely seriously and would urge anyone with concerns to report it.”

Dr Emma Katz, Lecturer in Childhood and Youth at Liverpool Hope University, has carried out in-depth research into the impact of coercive control. She says:

“Coercive control is at the core of a lot of cases of domestic abuse. The perpetrator uses coercive and controlling behaviours to gain all the privileges, freedoms, power and rights in the relationship, while leaving the victim with none. They want the victim’s life to become all about pleasing the perpetrator and doing what the perpetrator wants.

“Due to the fact that perpetrators are extremely clever at excusing, minimising, justifying and denying their behaviour, the partner or family member may have little understanding of domestic abuse and may not realise that they are experiencing it.” Two fire engines have now had their liveries updated as part of the ‘Escape the Control’ campaign

More information about the Escape the Control Campaign, including stories from people who have lived through it, is available on their website or you can follow the campaign on Facebook and or Twitter, using the hashtag #escapethecontrol.