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BBC Radio 5 Live

5 live Investigates

5 Live Investigates

Factual: Consumer

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism

Adrian Goldberg presents cutting edge investigative journalism, as well as taking on listeners' campaigns and consumer issues

5 Live Investigates: Coercive Control

23/04/2017

Coercive Control

BBC Radio 5 Live - 5 Live Investigates, Coercive Control

Looking at new figures on prosecutions for controlling and coercive behaviour.

In this edition, an investigation of new figures on prosecutions for controlling and coercive behaviour, 15 months after the new law was introduced.

Controlling or coercive behaviour was made illegal at the end of 2015. More than a year after it was introduced, 5 live Investigates has new data which reveals how often the new law is being implemented. The programme contacted all 43 police forces in England and Wales to find out how many suspects had been charged with the new offence. 25 of them provided figures - revealing they had charged 202 people. Two police forces say they haven't charged anyone. Critics say not all police officers are have been trained well enough to spot the signs of coercive or controlling behaviour and gather evidence to bring a prosecution. Louisa Rolfe who is deputy chief constable at West Midlands Police and the national police lead on domestic abuse says police forces have been slow to implement the new law but all forces have now had training and she expects to see the legislation used more often.

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