DORSET Police investigated almost 200 allegations of coercive control in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, figures show.

December marked the sixth anniversary of landmark legislation introduced to make coercive or controlling behaviour a criminal offence in England and Wales.

But only a "small minority of survivors" who experience such abuse will see justice done, according to charity Women's Aid.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics shows Dorset Police logged 198 allegations of coercive or controlling behaviour during 2020-21.

That was down from 260 the year before – but different figures suggest most cases will never reach a courtroom.

Of the 170 cases closed by the force in Dorset during 2020-21, 88 per cent were abandoned due to difficulties gathering evidence while just six ended with a suspect being charged or summonsed to court.

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Women's Aid described coercive control, which is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, as a problem "at the heart of almost all domestic abuse".

'Coercive control is "at the heart of almost all domestic abuse"

Abusers can be jailed for subjecting a partner or family member to controlling behaviour such as isolating them, exploiting them financially, depriving them of basic needs, humiliating, frightening or threatening them.

Detective Superintendent Stewart Dipple, of Dorset Police, said: “We recognise the impact controlling and coercive behaviour has on victims and we are committed to doing all we can to supporting them and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.

“We have invested significantly in training all officers and staff in how to identify controlling and coercive behaviour and to investigate it. This training has been delivered by the SafeLives charity.

“We also have a champions network that provides quality assurance to investigations as well as enhanced support to officers as they carry out their enquiries into these complex cases.

“We have invested additional staff into our Operation Maple team of domestic abuse advisors to support victims of high risk domestic abuse and work with partners to increase their safety.

“Furthermore, we have invested in the DRIVE perpetrator programme to hold offenders to account as well as educating them and encouraging rehabilitation of their behaviour.

“Controlling and coercive behaviour is a crime that requires significant investigation because often the victim may not realise they are being controlled because of the nature of intimate partner violence and the grooming process the perpetrator uses to coerce and control their victims.

“Coercive control erodes victims confidence and self-esteem and many victims often feel they will not be believed, making it harder to gather the evidence as behaviours are very often subtle.

“Despite these challenges, we remain determined to support victims and take action against offenders and we have secured a number of successful convictions against perpetrators of controlling and coercive behaviour.

“Even where there is insufficient evidence to secure a criminal conviction, there are also safeguarding measures and support mechanisms we can put in place to support victims and we continue to encourage anyone who is the subject of controlling and coercive behaviour to please come forward and report it.

“Dorset Police is committed to the relentless pursuit of criminals and being tough on perpetrators of domestic abuse, and wholly supports the Police and Crime Commissioner’s priority to support victims of this high harm crime.

“Anyone who is affected by controlling and coercive behaviour, or any form of domestic abuse. can get support from Dorset Police by calling 101 or using our online reporting tools: www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/. In an emergency, always call 999.

“You can find information about other places to get support on the Dorset Police website: www.dorset.police.uk/da.”