The guidance emphasises:. The support and safety needs for victims should be identified from the outset and continually considered throughout the life of a case, by the police in dialogue with the prosecutor. Where available this should also be informed by any specialist support the victim is receiving. Improving a victim's safety is important. It may help to raise their confidence in the criminal justice system and facilitate their participation in the investigation and prosecution process.
The Violence Against Women and Girls VAWG Strategy provides an overarching framework for crimes identified as being primarily committed, but not exclusively, by men against women within a context of power and control.
The offence of controlling or coercive behaviour, and other prosecutions related to domestic abuse, should be addressed within the overall framework of VAWG and human rights.
The patterns and dynamics involved in these cases need to be understood in order to provide an appropriate and effective response. Though most victims of VAWG offences are women, the CPS recognises that some offenders will be women, non-binary or identify in a different way and some victims will be men, non-binary or identify in a different way. All references in this guidance are gender neutral and are applied to all suspects and victims of crime irrespective of gender, or sexual orientation, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
Refer to the CPS Domestic Abuse prosecution guidance for further information about the gendered approach to prosecutions. A pattern of CCB can be well established before a single incident is reported. In many cases the conduct might seem innocent β especially if considered in isolation of other incidents β and the victim may not be aware of, or be ready to acknowledge, abusive behaviour. The consideration of the cumulative impact of CCB and the pattern of behaviour within the context of the relationship is crucial.
