Domestic abuse and coercive control training 1150/2025

FOI Reference: 1150/2025

Request

I would like to request further information on the training that Dyfed-Powys Police provides to its officers regarding Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control. Specifically, I am interested in the details of the training modules, the frequency of the training sessions, and the number of officers who have completed this training.

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested

Response

Initial Training

DA training

Aim: To develop and understanding of DA and the appropriate Police Responses.

Coercive Control Training

Aim:  To provide knowledge and understanding of coercive and controlling behaviour.

• Defining coercive control
• S76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015
• Tactics used by Perpetrator
• Understanding controlling coercive behaviour
• Barriers
• Review of the murder of Jamie Yates
• Duluth Wheel

2022

Vulnerability Training

Course Aim: 

• To provide an awareness of the changes that have been included in the new Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and highlight the responsibilities that Police Officers have when investigating abuse and safeguarding victims.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the new DA Act
• Identify the new definition
• Discuss the Voice of the Child
• Describe New Offences – what’s already in?
• s.71, s.69, s. 72 & 74, s. 68
• Describe New Offences – what’s coming?
• S.70
• Explain Special Measures
• Explain Clare’s Law
• Locate useful links

2023/2024

College of Policing DA Matters first responder training

Learning Outcomes:

• Define what is meant by the term ‘domestic abuse’.
• Explain the role of the first responder and DA Matters Champion in the DA Matters change programme.
• Explain what is meant by the term ‘coercive control’ and how to discover evidence of coercive control using appropriate questions and communication techniques.
• Describe the effect of multiple controlling behaviours on victims, other vulnerable persons and children impacted by the perpetrator’s behaviour.
• Identify why victims can find it difficult to leave an abusive relationship and how hard perpetrators work to resist their victim leaving an abusive relationship.
• Identify the stages of change a victim experiences when in and preparing to leave an abusive relationship and how this impacts on them as responders.
• Describe what intervention responders can provide to a victim at each stage of an abusive relationship.
• Specify the link between coercive control and stalking or harassment.
• Explain best practice in recording and reporting the responses to domestic abuse incidents which can maximise evidential value and minimise victim blaming.
• Describe the tactics perpetrators may use to manipulate first responders.
• Describe the importance of securing evidence at the scene of a domestic abuse incident.
• Identify the need and potential options to safeguard victims and children.
• Explain how intersecting social identities impact on victims’ experience of domestic abuse and discrimination.

2025

Divisional Training – Domestic Abuse Training including risk assessment, stalking.

Objectives – DARA:

• Understand how to identify risk effectively
• Outline the benefits and aims of Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment (DARA)
• Effectively assess risk to inform decision making
• Understand the circumstances for use of DARA
• Explain how to manage risk related to Domestic Abuse

Objectives – NPCC Stalking Screening Tool:

• Understand how to effectively use the Stalking Screening Tool (SST)
• Outline the benefits and aims of the SST
• Understand the four stages of the SST
• Understand the circumstances for use of the SST
• Explain the Pneumonic FOUR in relation to Stalking

Staff have designated training days in the year. These days are filed with a variety of mandatory training which are agreed in the training prioritisation meetings.

DA themes are delivered annually.

Completion:

Initial Training – 341

Vulnerability Training – 553

College of Policing DA Matters first responder – 443

Divisional Training – 489

It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 05/12/2025)