CCChat-Magazine_8-The-Conference-Edition

CCChat
April 2018 Issue 8
The Magazine on Coercive
Control
Making The
Invisible Visible

Contents
Editor's Notes
5 Spring Has Sprung
CCChat is now on Patreon
6 Become a Patron and Help
Make The Invisible Visible
Rachel Williams
9 Her new book is here!
Abuse Talk/ Online Book Club
11 Jennifer Gilmour gives us the
lowdown
Steve
16 "I always said I'd never hit a
woman and then I did"
Conference on Coercive Control
22 What to expect on the day. a
look at the speakers.
The Freedom Programme
43 Meet the Conference Sponsors
Lorem Ipsum

Editor's Notes
ABOUT THE EDITOR:
Min Grob started Conference
on Coercive Control in June
2015 following a relationship
that was coercive and
controlling.
Since then, there have been
three national conferences,
various speaking
engagements and a monthly
online publication- CCChat
Magazine.
2018 will see the start of
CCChat Live Discussion
Groups as well as details of
the next Conference on
Coercive Control which will
be a dual venue event to be
held in Bristol and
Gloucester.
Min is particularly
interested in how
perpetrator tactics can be
identified and has spoken on
the challenging subject of
differentiating between
strident discourse and
deliberate baiting.
With the use of examples
from social media, various
covert tactics aimed at
provoking a response can be
identified with the aim of
creating greater awareness
of how abuse manifests when
it is invisible in plain sight.
Min also talks on coercive
control both her personal
experiences and more
generally.
Let's grow the
conversation!
Editor contact details:
contact@coercivecontrol.co.
uk
Photo by Alex Kilbee of
https://www.museportraits.co
.uk/
spring has sprung and so have I
I write this on a beautiful sunny day, listening to the birds. Spring
has definitely sprung and I couldn't be more pleased. the longer
days and the brighter mornings mean i not only have more energy to
do things. but longer in which to do it!
This is the conference edition of CCChat where we meet all the
confirmed speakers and take a look at what is in store.
the theme of this year's conference is 'Making the invisible visible'.
when we are looking at below the radar abuse that is hidden in plain
sight, it is crucial that we all recognise it for what it is and that
those who understand share the knowledge that is not necessarily
obvious to the naked eye.
the cognitive dissonance around various forms of abuse and how they
intersect causes me significant dismay. on the one hand the message
is that mocking, belittling, name calling etc is abuse and needs to be
tackled yet when it is online, it is something we are often advised to
ignore, to not respond, to block.
We all know that abuse dosn't stop just because we leave the
relationship yet there is an assumption that it will simply fade away
if we ignore it. this is something that may well be true of online
provocateurs who try to get a rise out of people for kicks, but it is
completely different when the abuser is someone who is specifically
targeting someone with the intention causing distress and/or fear.
the ostrich effect is something I am very interested in and ccchat
will be looking at it extensively but, for now, the focus is on
identifying what we can not see under our very noses.
Until next month.
Min x
Making The Invisible Visible 2018

CCChat Magazine is now on Patreon
If you have enjoyed reading the magazine and would like to be
a part of developing and improving it, please consider
becoming a patron and help create a bigger platform for
MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE
Please cut and paste the following into your browser to take
you directly to the page.
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5609243
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Jennifer Gilmour
Advocate for women in abusive relationships
Author of Isolation Junction & Clipped Wings
Columnist for CCChat Magazine
Host of Abuse Talk & Online Book Club
www.jennifergilmour.com
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Rachel Williams
Author
Survivor
Ambassador
All -Round Wonder Woman
Author of: The Devil At Home
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Abuse Talk & Book Club
by Jennifer Gilmour
This month Jennifer has exciting news of a new forum
she is developing and reviews another book.
ABUSE CHAT APRIL NEWS
Since the last edition of CCChat Magazine @AbuseChat has
gone past another Twitter milestone of 300 followers and we
are steadily growing. We have had members join in not just
from the UK but also from the US, Canada, Italy and
Spain. Its interesting to find out how different countries work
in supporting victims of domestic abuse. You can join in
every Wednesday 8-9pm GMT via #AbuseTalk
I have also spent time in developing an #AbuseTalk forum
which will be available soon, I am hopeful for May. I had the
idea a couple of years ago and it has never left me but I
didn’t know how to implement it, when running #AbuseTalk I
soon realised the character limit on Twitter and privacy is a
bit of a niggle.
The forum cannot be seen publicly unless you register for a
profile and it doesn’t have such a restriction for character
limitation.Beta testers feel very positive about it and its
received its main sponsor which I am delighted about.
The Twitter chat will be continuing but it gives you an option
to discuss further and whenever you want in the week.
Themes covered are that of my own and those who join in, if
you would like a particular topic’s covered then you can
always get in touch with me via:
contact@jennifergilmour.com
Anyone can get involved with the discussions, all you have to
do is sign into Twitter on the dedicated time and tweet with
the #AbuseTalk. The account @AbuseChat will retweet and
be involved in the conversation. If you have any articles, blog
posts, thoughts, feelings on domestic abuse then this is a
space were you can express it.
ONLINE BOOK CLUB
“More than books, books with messages”
Online Book Club is a book club with a difference. Read
books that relate to domestic abuse either for interest or for
the educational value.
There are interviews, reviews, as well as a chance to share
your thoughts as talking points and win exclusive signed
copies of some of the books featured.
If you have any questions or want to get involved get in touch
with Jennifer Gilmour, contact@jennifergilmour.com
In February we had our very first giveaway for CCChat
Magazine. Theres a lot of room to still enter so don’t worry…
I have decided to extend the giveaway until the end of this
month. The winner to be announced in the May edition of
CCChat Magazine. Heres the link: http://bit.ly/ccchatmag
THIS MONTH'S BOOK:
Broken Pieces by Rachel Thompson
Broken Pieces is an award winning book about relationships,
a study of women, and a book with heart. Broken Pieces is a
collection of pieces inspired by life: love, loss, abuse, trust,
grief, and ulti-mately, love again. In Thompson’s most
intensive work to date, she opens her soul and invites the
reader in for a visit. Thompson goes into those long buried
rooms we lock up deep inside and shares a bit of her soul.
Broken Pieces is vulnerable, raw honesty, and no-holds
barred.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Jennifer's short review:
The way Rachel has written this made her book a
lot easy to digest and read in little shots. I do
believe others may need to read it like this
because of her honest account of what happened
to her. Rachel’s thoughts within the book are
something I can relate to and I believe her book
will make those who have experienced sex abuse
or child abuse less alone in their thoughts. Thank
you for sharing and for breaking the silence.
If you have read Broken Pieces, please share
your thoughts with me and I will be happy to
include them with the winner in next months
edition. Send to me before 5th May at:
contact@jennifergilmour.com
ONLINE BOOK CLUB by Jennifer Gilmour
“The message between the lines”
BOOK GIVEAWAY
Broken Pieces is the book you can win on the
giveaway and you have until the end of April.
For a chance to win email:
contact@jennifergilmour.com
or contact Jennifer on Twitter @AbuseChat
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Steve is a former perpetrator of
domestic abuse. He now campaigns
to end abuse against women.
Founder and Editor:
@StopDVaWomen
#StopDVaWomen
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

"I always said I’d never hit a woman,
and then I did."
Steve, a former perpetrator tells his story.
“I told him I wanted to change from the person I’d become.”
Steve
I always said I’d never hit a woman, and then I
did. I assaulted, kicked, my wife one day in June
2014. We were out at a day Conference in
Lancaster. I won’t make excuses, I won’t try to
dress it up as anything other than assault. My wife
asked me to leave the marital home, after
struggling to find somewhere, I eventually left in
July 2014. Friends, saying I needed to sort my
head out, drove me to an Order of nuns on the
Wirral. I stayed on and off for many weeks. It was
during one of these stays that I read a pamphlet
about domestic abuse. On the back, it had one
sentence… ‘’Do you feel you are a perpetrator?’’ It
was then it dawned on me, yes I am.
When I left, I called Respect Phoneline, the people
who put together the pamphlet. After being on the
phone for over an hour, the guy asked me… ‘’What
do you want?’’ I told him I wanted to change from
the person I’d become. He gave me contact details
of Relate GMS, who run a Domestic Violence
Prevention Programme for male perpetrators. I
called and was advised there was a six week
waiting list, if I fulfilled the criteria. I was
accepted onto the Programme and waited.
I phoned three times…I asked if there was a space
yet for me? Not yet… On week six of waiting I
arrived for my first One-to-One with one of the
Facilitators. I later referred to her as a cross
between Driving Miss Daisy, and the Terminator.
She was lovely, but very thorough. On week 1 I
was asked…why did I assault my wife? The same
on week 2, 3, 4…week 5 I was arrested. I was
called by a PC from my local Police. Can I come in
tomorrow to have a chat? Yes sure I said. I arrived
at 3.30pm the following day and was arrested.
Harassment the initial complaint, he dealt with
the assault as well. The PC kept me in custody for
six hours. He interviewed me and asked did I do
it? Yes I replied. Did you? He asked again. Yes I
said. Were there any witnesses? No. Any CCTV?
No. So no one saw you? No I replied. I accepted a
Police Caution, but was told do it again and you
will go to prison.
Later that week I had my one to one with my
Facilitator, ‘’How’s your week been?’’ she asked, I
told her of my arrest. On starting the Programme
you have to sign a contract: *You turn up on time
*Not be rude, speak over others *Be respectful of
others *Take an active part on the Programme,
not just turn up *Not have ongoing Police
involvement etc…
It was a difficult few weeks for me, I considered
quitting a few times. Why? I was continually
looking at my abuse, each week, over and over,
and over. It was very painful, some may say good!
But to connect with your abuse it has to be
painful.
The Group consists of a maximum of nine guys, it
becomes a band of brothers, so to speak. You
support each other, but also hold each other to
account. You can’t pull the wool over the eyes of
guys who’ve been abusive. They’ll see straight
through it. We’re all there to change, that’s it. No
timewasters, you’re taking up a valuable place
from someone who wants to change. By week 16 /
17 I was getting to grips with what I was learning
and the penny dropped so to speak.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

It was still tough, but I was learning to deal
with how I felt, my emotions, my
anger…where it came from, I noticed when it
was building…my Level 1. During this time
my wife and I were meeting up, seeing if we
could go forward with our relationship. It
started as we were going to the same events
through the summer, she thought it a good
idea to break the ice prior to being in front of
our friends.
We started dating again. Eventually I got to
my last evening on the Programme, it was
another tough moment, what would happen
after the Programme. What would I do on
Thursday evenings? I sat on the train station
on the way home, I received a text. It was
from my wife: ‘’Well done, I’m proud of you!’’
I sobbed my heart out.
Time passes by, I left my employer and
started with an agency driving trucks. My
first two weeks were spent delivering to the
area where the Police station I was processed
in, every single day I was there. By the end of
the second week I was screaming ‘’OK I
understand!!’’ you see, both my wife and I
are Christians. I saw it as a sign, a warning of
a sort, not to do the same again, even though
I said I wouldn’t to myself. I worked for the
same company through the agency for 11
weeks.
The Thursday of my final week there, I
walked into work and my boss shouted to me
laughing, ‘’You’re going to prison!’’ I wasn’t
laughing. I looked at my run sheet, yes I was
going to prison, but delivering to one. I felt
sick. I left the depot, feeling as though I was
driving my own prison van. I arrived, spoke
to the Prison Officer and was waved in.
Over an hour I was in there, couldn’t wait to
get out. When I did, it felt like I’d been
released myself. I kept thinking to myself, I
could be doing 25 to life…another lesson
learnt. Eventually after dating for over 3
years, my wife decided not to pursue our
marriage. She resurrected the divorce which
she’d paused a few years earlier. I was
devastated. I still go to the drop in group
held each month for those who’ve completed
the Programme.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

I still love my now ex-wife. We meet up occasionally for
dinner, coffee and a walk. Our relationship we both consider
is better now we're divorced. We’re not dating, just meeting
as friends, but I live in hope...
Male Victims:
Mens Advice Line: Call freephone 0808 801 0327 Monday-
Friday 9am-5pm or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Perpetrator Programmes/Understanding
Care 2 Talk
http://www.care-2talk.co.uk
Respect
http://respect.uk.net/
Mencentric
www.mencentric.co.uk
DVIP
www.dvip.org
SPLITZ
www.splitz.org
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Currently Reading:
Look What You Made Me Do
Helen Walmsley-Johnson
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

What to
expect
on the day
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Conference on Coercive
Control 2018 - Bristol
The Conference this year is at the University of
Bristol and the theme: Making The Invisible Visible
Why is coercive control so
difficult to identify and
evidence?
How can we increase
understanding of abuse that
is hidden in plain sight?
How can we recognise the
red flags so we can walk away
sooner?
How can we learn where to
look when there is so much
misinformation?
This conference looks at
abuse that falls below the
radar. Because that is
EXACTLY where
perpetrators want it to
remain.
This is the 3rd national Conference on
Coercive Control and the aim is to achieve a
greater understanding of abuse that remains
hidden in plain sight.
What does this mean?
It means the victim knows their abuser, what
makes them tick and also the tactics they use
to undermine, subjugate, isolate and control
but it is not always apparent to outsiders.
It is important to understand how this
happens and the extent of it as, all too often,
the abuser will provoke the victim into a
negative responses and then claim that
THEY, the abuser, is the victim.
We need to be able to identify and evidence
when this happens as, all too often, the
natural tendency is to dismiss the abuse as a
spat, a dispute, a tiff. All too often it is
dismissed as toxic or hostile or volatile with
the hidden subtext that both parties are
culpable, rather than one who is provoking,
prodding, goading, belittling, demeaning,
degrading the other.
This year's speakers will be looking at and
around coercive control in order to shine a
light on an oft misunderstood and
misreprentated form of manipulation.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Dr Emma Katz
Dr Emma Katz’s pioneering research investigates how children
are harmed by coercive control (not only physical violence)
in contexts of domestic abuse.
Dr Emma Katz’s pioneering research
investigates how children are harmed
by coercive control (not only physical
violence) in contexts of domestic
abuse.
Key issues for Emma are how children
experience coercive control, how they
resist it, and what helps them to
recover.
Emma has received international
recognition and awards for her
publications and talks, and her unique
perspective is generating impacts on
practice across the UK.
Emma is Lecturer in Childhood and
Youth at Liverpool Hope University.
For more information about Dr Katz:
https://www.hope.ac.uk/staff/katze.html
Recent publications:
Radford, Lorraine, Nancy Lombard, Fransizka
Meinck, Emma Katz and Stanford Mahati (2017)
'Researching Violence with Children:
Experiences and Lessons from the UK and
South Africa', Families, Relationships and
Societies, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 239-256.
Available from:
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/
tpp/frs/2017/00000006/00000002/art00006
Katz, Emma. (2016) ‘Beyond the Physical
Incident Model: How Children Living with
Domestic Violence are Harmed by and
Resist Regimes of Coercive Control’ Child
Abuse Review, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 46-59.
Available from:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/
car.2422/abstract
Katz, Emma. (2015) ‘Recovery-Promoters:
Ways that Mothers and Children Support
One Another’s Recoveries from Domestic
Violence’ British Journal of Social Work,
vol. 45, sup. 1, pp. i153-i169.
Available from:
http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/
suppl_1/i153.abstract
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Alison Boydell
Alison Boydell co-founded JURIES (Jurors Understanding
Rape is Essential Standard) with the late Jill Saward.
Alison Boydell is a lifelong feminist and
works as an Independent Sexual Violence
Advocate (ISVA) for a Rape Crisis centre.
Alison campaigns against violence against
women and is involved in End Online
Misogyny, which highlights online
violence against women.
Alison has spoken about online violence
against women at Women's Aid and Rape
Crisis England and Wales conferences as
well as for the Centre for Women's
Justice.
Alison has identified similarities between
domestic abuse behaviours and online
abuse behaviours not perpetrated as part
of domestic abuse.
Alison also co-founded JURIES (Jurors
Understanding Rape is Essential
Standard) with the late Jill Saward.
JURIES campaigns for juries in sexual
offences trials to be briefed about the
realities of rape to counter widely held
rape myths and stereotypes.
More recently, Alison has been
campaigning against "sexual
entertainment venues" (SEVs) in
Sheffield and was part of the campaign
group Zero Option, who supported a
woman who brought legal action
against Sheffield City Council for its
unlawful granting of Spearmint
Rhino's licence in 2016.
Alison continues to campaign against
strip clubs as Not Buying It working
closely with the Women's Equality
Party local branch and other interest
groups.
For more information:
https://juriesunderstandingsv.wordpr
ess.com/
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
John Trott
John Trott is the Director - Founder of 'AbuseFreeLife'
Investigative and Safeguarding Training and Consultancy.
John Trott retired from the police in 2016 as
a Detective Chief Inspector in charge of the
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Public Protection
Unit. He was responsible for the prevention
and investigation of child abuse, domestic
abuse and vulnerable adult abuse and was
the Devon and Cornwall Force lead for
Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Forced Marriage,
Honour Based Abuse, Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM) and Safeguarding
Vulnerable Adults/Adults at Risk.
Additionally, he sat on the LSCB and SAB
and chaired over 200 Multi Agency Risk
Assessment Conferences. John is an
accredited Senior Investigating Officer and
has led on a number of serious
and protracted investigations up to and
including murder and recently, a number of
high profile investigations in Health Care
settings.
Additionally, he has eighteen years’
experience as a Hostage and Crisis
Negotiator and Coordinator. John is a
Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) Chair and
has sat on a number of DHR panels.
Nationally he was a member of the HMIC
National Working Group for Domestic
Abuse.
John is now the Director of AbuseFreeLife.
He consults with and trains police and other
organisations around the United Kingdom on
Domestic Abuse, Coercion and Control, Multi
Agency Risk Assessment Conferences,
Stalking, DASH
Risk Assessment and Honour Based Abuse.
He has lectured and spoken at several events
including at Exeter and Plymouth University,
the Department of Health National FGM
conference, the National Caldicott Guardians
conference and the National Stalking
Conference.
For more information:
https://www.rockpool.life
http://www.safelives.org.uk/
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Dr Karen Morgan
Research Fellow in the Bristol Medical School,
at the University of Bristol.
Karen Morgan is a Research Fellow in the
Bristol Medical School, at the University
of Bristol.
As well as over ten years’ research
experience mostly in gender-based
violence, she also has experience from the
voluntary sector of supporting survivors
of domestic and sexual abuse.
In addition to her work on gendered
violence, Karen has also written,
lectured and provided conference
papers on issues relating to animal
rights and ethical veganism, and is an
Associate Lecturer and Critical Reader
consultant for the Open University.
Currently, Karen is working on
REPROVIDE, an NIHR-funded pilot trial
of a domestic violence perpetrator
programme, which is seeking to gather
evidence as to the effectiveness of group
programmes for male perpetrators.
Previously, Karen was working on
the Domestic Violence and Abuse
Healthtalk module which provides a
resource for women who have been in an
abusive relationship, and for their
families, friends, and professionals
seeking to provide appropriate support.
For more information:
Eos Project
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/
primaryhealthcare/researchthemes/
eos-home/
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Healthtalk module
http://www.healthtalk.org/peoplesexperiences/domestic-violence-abuse
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Sophia Cooke
PhD Student at University of Cambridge,
Blogger and Survivor
Sophia Cooke is a PhD student at
Cambridge. In 2017 Sophia found
herself in the national press accused of
lying about her ex partner assaulting
her.
As a result of her experiences, Sophia
has released a blog.
https://victimscanbestrong.com
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Rachel Williams
Rachel Williams survived 18 years of domestic
abuse. She was shot by her estranged husband.
Rachel Williams survived 18 years of
domestic abuse. She was shot by her
estranged husband who then killed
himself.
Rachel now raises awareness of
domestic abuse with her tireless
campaigning is an Ambassador for
Welsh Women's Aid, Threshold - DAS
The Freedom Programme as well as a
Pioneer for Safelives.
On March 8th of this year, Rachel
released her book The Devil at Home
which tells her personal story in
searing detail to help others
understand what happens behind
closed doors.
Rachel is CCChat's 2018
Woman To Watch
The Devil at Home is
published by Penguin
and available in
bookshops, on
Amazon and all good
airports.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Sarah Phillimore
Sarah Phillimore is a barrister interested in the
intersection between free speech and abuse.
Sarah Phillimore is a family
barrister based in the South West
of England.
She is also the site administrator
of the Child Protection Resource
and a member of the
Transparency Project, a charity
that seeks to improve public
understanding of the family law
system.
Sarah has a particular interest in
issues of freedom of speech and
responsible use of social media,
particularly by regulated
professionals.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Rosa de Guero
Survivor Of Maternal Abuse
Rosa reported her mother for child cruelty to
herself and her siblings. The trial took place
last year.
In court, Rosa's mother admitted she found
soiled pants in washing and claimed that she
accidently fell forward and underwear went
into Rosa's brother's mouth
Rosa's mother also admitted to slapping
Rosa's brother, throwing a toy elephant and
biting another another daughter and
throwing water at her kids.
She told the court that her husband's long
absences and lack of involvement around the
house left her 'alone', 'isolated' and
depressed' 'I was out of control. I was
completely on the verge of insanity,' she said.
Having admitted to some of the abuse, she
would later tell the court that
Rosa's allegations were 'beyond commenting
on and 'absolutely ridiculous and extreme.'
Rosa's mother was found not guilty of five
counts of child cruelty and three counts of
assault occasioning actual bodily harm
between 1979 and 1993.
Link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/
article-4903050/Wife-Pink-Floydengineer-cleared-child-cruelty.html
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

#CCCBristol18
Rebecca Sharpe
Sophie Mortimer
Revenge Porn Helpline
Rebecca Sharpe and Sophie Mortimer
help run the Revenge Porn Helpline
which offers practical assistance in
reporting and removing content online
as well as non-judgmental emotional
support.
Both will be talking about the coercive
control around publishing intimate
images.
Have you had your intimate
images posted online without
your consent?
The Revenge Porn Helpline is the UK's
only dedicated service supporting
adults. Call for free, one-on-one
confidential advice and support via
email and phone.
Revenge Porn Helpline
0345 6000 459
What services do we offer?
We offer practical assistance in reporting and
removing content online.
Whilst we cannot guarantee removal of all
images, our exceptional partnerships with
internet industry partners allows us to
minimise the reach, and some of the harm,
caused by revenge porn.
We provide coaching and advice on how and
when to gather evidence and approach the
authorities, but cannot undertake criminal
investigations or report to the police on the
victim's behalf.
We also offer support and legislative advice
to law enforcement agencies. We are
delighted to have an effective and positive
working relationship with the QMUL Legal
Advice Centre. Offering specialist support for
victims, our clients are signposted to free,
accessible, client-centred legal consultations.
We do not have the capacity to provide long
term counselling to our clients but do offer
non-judgemental, emotional support.
https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk/
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Research Highlights Need For Police Forces To Have
Greater Awareness Of Revenge Pornography
In the first survey of its kind, researchers at the
University of Suffolk have been investigating the
understanding of revenge pornography within
police forces, across the county and in the UK.
This builds on the University’s growing expertise
and pioneering research, which addresses topical
issues, particularly those affecting young people,
such as peer-on-peer abuse, revenge pornography,
sexual abuse online and cyber security.
It also follows the launch of the Centre of
Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence
and Crime (CENTRIC) in Suffolk and the Suffolk
Institute for Social and Economic Research
(SISER).
Since the introduction of new legislation in 2015,
making revenge pornography a crime in the UK,
the number of cases has risen sharply with more
victims feeling able to report the crime, while
prevalence in the mainstream media is beginning
to increase public awareness.
In January 2018, YouTube star Chrissy Chambers
won damages in a landmark UK revenge
pornography case. Even though the offence
occurred in 2011, before the new legislation, she
was able to use the Civil Courts to sue her former
partner for harassment, breach of confidence and
misuse of private information.
The aim of the research, conducted by Professor
Emma Bond, Director of Research, and Katie
Tyrrell, Researcher at the University of Suffolk,
was to establish the level of understanding of
revenge pornography among police officers and
staff. The survey of national police forces,
undertaken between late February and Early April
2017, was part of a wider research initiative
funded by the Police Knowledge Fund through the
College of Policing and HEFCE, which aims to
develop the understanding and use of research in
policing.
The survey was developed with the National
Revenge Porn Helpline and was supported by the
College of Policing. Revenge pornography is a
form of online abuse with devastating personal
consequences for victims.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

Laura Higgins from the Revenge Porn Helpline
commented, “We welcome this survey and its
findings, which reflects the feedback we receive
from many of our clients, that many police forces
lack the knowledge or confidence required to
manage reports and that many victims feel they
are not taken seriously. Non-consensual image
based abuse is a problem of our time and, as the
only dedicated helpline for victims in the UK, we
know that the number of cases is growing year-onyear.
We urge police forces across the country to
provide their teams with the training necessary to
ensure victims feel able to report crimes safe in
the knowledge that they will receive the support
they require and that offenders will be brought to
justice.”
Dr Emma Bond
The Revenge Porn Helpline is receiving increasing
reports and calls from victims yearly, with nearly
2,000 in the past year suggesting an increased
need. The relatively recent introduction of
legislation around revenge pornography means
police officers and staff are often one of the first
points of contact for victims, therefore their
response to this is vital.
The findings of the research and the outcomes of
the survey highlighted the lack of formal training
completed by police officers and staff. Of the 783
police officers and staff who completed the survey,
95% reported not receiving formal training on
how to respond to cases of revenge pornography
despite such devastating effects for the victims.
Therefore, going forward, training opportunities
for police forces is crucial.
In addition to the research, the University is
hosting the Virtual Violence: Technologyfacilitated
Domestic Abuse and Control
conference on 10 May, bringing together multiagency
practitioners, academics and students in
order to raise awareness of technology-facilitated
abuse, advance understanding around the
digitalisation of abusive relationships and to
discuss approaches moving forward.
This follows the University’s recent activity
highlighting safer internet use through the
Blurring Boundaries conference, hosted earlier
this month. The conference brought together
experts from across the country to address a
regional audience of delegates from schools,
colleges, healthcare providers, social services and
safeguarding organisations, focussing on topics
affecting young people such as peer-on-peer
abuse, revenge pornography, sexual abuse online,
and cyber security.
Read the full report here:
http://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/
ys7F87MKtfIm2XgzqAVu/full
Katie Tyrrell, Researcher at the University of
Suffolk, said “This is one of the first studies to
quantify police understanding of revenge
pornography and the results highlight the limited
understanding of legislation and confidence in
responding to cases of revenge pornography
amongst police officers and staff within the UK,
demonstrating an urgent need for training across
police forces.”
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

The Freedom Programme
Founded by Pat Craven
The Freedom Programme
Sponsors of
Conference on Coercive Control 2018 and 2019.
The Freedom Programme is a domestic
violence programme which was created by
Pat Craven. It was evolved from Pat's work
with perpetrators of domestic violence.
The Freedom Programme provides
information, not therapy and was primarily
designed for women as victims of domestic
violence, since research shows that in the
vast majority of cases of serious abuse are
male on female. However, the programme,
when provided as an intensive two day
course, is also suitable for men, whether
abusive and wishing to change their attitudes
and behaviour or whether victims of same
sex domestic abuse themselves.
The Freedom Programme examines the roles
played by attitudes and beliefs on the actions
of abusive men and the responses of victims
and survivors. The aim is to help them to
make sense of and understand what has
happened to them, instead of the whole
experience just feeling like a horrible mess.
The Freedom Programme course
usually lasts for 11 or 12 weeks and is
FREE. It is provided by hundreds of
agencies across the UK. Some of them
are rolling so women can join at any
time but this varies according to the
area.
Freedom Programme
help line number: 01942 262 270
Help desk email:
chris@fpcharity.co.uk.
www.freedomprogramme.co.uk
The Freedom Programme also describes in
detail how children are affected by being
exposed to this kind of abuse and very
importantly how their lives are improved
when the abuse is removed.
2018 is the Year For Making The Invisible Visible

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