“Changes in the law don’t change attitudes, unfortunately. The problem starts with the misuse of power,” said Jan Frances, activist and domestic abuse consultant. Frances, in a panel with violence survivors and experts, said that legislation in itself can't enforce correct behaviour between the genders.
“I couldn’t tell the Police about how I had been abused as a child in case Social Services took my own children away,” said Ruth Jones, a victim of her father's "coercive control". She explained that the fear of the consequences of speaking out can lead to serious mental health issues later on.
David Shaw, former West Mercia Police Chief Constable, said that the Force had changed its approach in recent years to the problem of domestic violence. Staff are now trained to analyse the situation and focus on the perpetrator more than always on the victim.
The event was chaired by Frances Howie, Director of Public Health at Worcestershire County Council.