Greater Manchester Police’s commitment to tackling Domestic Abuse in partnership with SafeLives

Every year, over two million people in the UK experience domestic abuse, with it taking an average 30 incidents before victims of DA will call the police – so ensuring victims’ experiences with the police are dealt with efficiently and empathetically is crucial.

Greater Manchester Police is committed to tackling domestic abuse and violence. Nobody should have to be subjected to any form of abuse.

What is Domestic Abuse?

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as a behaviour by a person towards another, where both persons are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected. The behaviour is abusive behaviour and is considered abusive if it consists of any of the following:

- Physical or sexual abuse
- Violent or threatening words or actions
- Controlling or coercive activity
- Economic abuse
- Psychological, emotional, or other abuse

Over the coming months, Greater Manchester Police officers will be working with SafeLives, a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse for everyone and for good and are a vital component in making this happen for GMP's officers and staff.

SafeLives work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse and Greater Manchester Police is working alongside this fantastic organisation.

GMP officers are undertaking a bespoke enhanced training programme delivered by SafeLives, who have collaboratively developed the material alongside the College of Policing and other organisations.

The programme aims to create long term, sustainable improvements, and consistency in the response to domestic abuse, tackling all issues relating to DA including coercive control, victim blaming, and recognition of manipulation used by the perpetrator.

This training is imperative not only to GMP, but to all police officers and staff throughout England and Wales.

Our GMP officers will become ambassadors, helping to drive forward cultural change, share best practice and make a difference to domestic abuse issues.

Support Available

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, GMP and other organisations are here to help.

For further support please visit our support organisations page on our website.

If you or someone you know is being domestically abused, please report and get support.

You can report domestic abuse incidents via our website.

You can also call police 101. ALWAYS call 999 in an emergency.