DOMESTIC abuse is not always about physical violence, and not all scars are visible. Manipulating, intimidating and controlling your loved ones can have equally devastating consequences, and can leave long-lasting ‘silent scars’.
Working with Southend and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB), our #Reflect campaign aims to tackle emotional abuse at its source, by speaking directly to those who are abusive in their relationships. We want to urge anyone displaying unhealthy and toxic behaviours towards their partner, ex-partner or a family member, to #Reflect and get help at Essex charity The Change Project.
Sarah Griffin, Change Hub Manager at The Change Project, said:
“We believe that anyone who has harmed others can take steps to change. The campaign to date has driven over 2,000 requests for contact from people seeking our guidance as well as a substantial increase in self-referrals. So far, 60% of clients who self-referred have successfully completed an intervention.
“This is staggering. Behind every self-referral is a person taking a giant, potentially life-changing step towards positive change.
“The Reflect campaign is about offering people in Southend, Essex and Thurrock a service that helps people to look at their own abusive behaviour. It’s never too late to seek help and make positive changes, and we are here to support people who want to transform their lives and stop the cycle of abuse.”
Jane Gardner, Chair of Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) and Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex, said:
“It is important we raise awareness of all forms of domestic abuse, including emotional, economic, coercive control and online digital abuse.
“I am proud to support the #Reflect campaign which highlights the different forms of abuse and encourages those who are abusive in their relationship to take responsibility for their actions and seek change.
“With support from The Change Project, we are committed to helping individuals break free from the cycle of abuse, fostering healthier, safer relationships. These initiatives are part of Essex’s comprehensive, multi-agency approach to tackling domestic abuse, prevent offending, protect those at risk and bring more perpetrators to justice.
“We hope by continuing to encourage perpetrators to refer for the support they need, we can help them make real, lasting change which will reduce violence against women and girls, one of our key priorities in the Police and Crime Plan 2024-2028.”
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said:
“We will always put victims first in everything we do, by working with The Change Project we can help prevent toxic behaviours from escalating. Preventing crime not only works to make victims safer – it will mean that some people never become victims. It is critical in creating safer communities where we can all live without fear.”
Insights suggest that emotional abuse and coercive control can be an indicator that the abuse is about to escalate. The next phase of the #Reflect campaign shines a light on these behaviours and urges the target audience to question their own intentions with partners and loved ones before they regret their actions. Abuse like coercive control, presents itself as a range of behaviours that allow the perpetrator to gain or keep control over their victim, such as financial control, tracking loved one’s movements and dictating what they wear, what they do and who they can see.
Detective Superintendent Matt Cornish said:
“Our award-winning #Reflect campaign puts the focus on the perpetrator. There are not many, if any, other domestic abuse campaigns which take this approach, but we’ve seen that it works.
“In the last year we’ve seen around 1,800 fewer reports of domestic abuse and around 1,000 fewer repeat victims. One victim of domestic abuse is one too many, but I believe our work to protect people and stopping offences in the first place is having a real, tangible impact.”
The internet may have quickly revolutionised how we all communicate, but it has also given rise to dangerous behaviours. In a bold move to address the growing risks of online harm, we are launching a new facet that focuses on educational content about sharing intimate images. Aligning with the Online Safety Act and keeping pace with emerging crime trends, we are committed to safeguarding victims in both the physical and digital world as well as preventing the abuse occurring in the first place.
The growing prevalence of deepfakes – manipulated videos or images, designed to deceive viewers has opened new avenues for exploitation and harassment, especially in intimate relationships. At the same time, image-based abuse (sharing explicit images without consent) continues to be a devastating form of control, often tied to the manipulation victims’ emotions and personal lives.
To find out more about the campaign, watch the videos and to follow the impact the work has had, head to our page: www.essex.police.uk/Reflect
If you have recognised any of the behaviours mentioned in this article and would like to speak to someone, contact The Change Project.
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