Practitioner (mis)understandings of coercive control in England and Wales

an article by Amanda L Robinson (Cardiff University, UK) and Andy Myhill and Julia Wire (College of Policing, UK) published in Criminology & Criminal Justice Volume 18 Issue 1 (February 2018)

Abstract

Coercive control is harmful behaviour recently criminalized in England and Wales. The extent to which the work of practitioners is informed by an understanding of coercive control therefore requires investigation.

Using data from two mixed methods multi-site studies, this article suggests that practitioners’ recognition of coercive control does not seem to be universally poor or skilled, but rather depends on the characteristics of the situation itself, the organizational context in which practitioners work and the stage at which they are evaluating whether coercive control is present.

The absence of a clear understanding of the importance of coercive control when making judgements about victims and perpetrators has serious implications for the efficacy of current approaches to domestic abuse.

Purposeful and systematic efforts to support practitioners to recognize and respond effectively to coercive control are required.

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Framing the riots

an article by Allison Cavanagh (University of Leeds) and Alex Dennis (University of Sheffield) published in Capital & Class Volume 36 Number 3 (October 2012)

Abstract

An analysis of commentary on the UK’s August 2011 riots reveals shifts in the way the media and politicians now construe concepts of youth, race, criminality and deprivation.

By comparing the response to these events with that which followed the riots of 1981, these changes can be clarified and illuminated.

This analysis reveals that discussions of ‘social problems’ exploited by ‘infiltrators’ (1981) have been replaced by notions of ‘pure criminality’ and ‘mob rule’.

The implications of these changes for contemporary protest, and some ways in which the riots and other forms of protest can be related, are drawn out.

Hazel’s comment:
Are the youth of today so very different from the youth of 30 years ago? I doubt it. What is different, as this article makes clear, is the authority’s language in response is very different.
I am aware that the activities of last year were more extreme and that the looting was on a scale that has rarely been seen in England but that does not, to my mind, make the perpetrators any less victims of social problems which need to be sorted.

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Learning disabilities and criminal justice: …

custody sergeants’ perceptions of alleged offenders with learning disabilities

 an article by Michael Hellenbach (University of Chester) published in British Journal of Learning Disabilities Volume 40 Issue 1 (March 2012)

Summary

Recent research demonstrates that despite increased attention and awareness by politicians and decision-makers, people with learning disabilities are still disadvantaged when engaging with the criminal justice system. It has been argued that shortcomings in providing support are because of criminal justice professionals lacking necessary skills and competencies in identifying and dealing with people who have learning disabilities.

This study draws on qualitative data generated through unstructured interviews with custody sergeants from three different constabularies. It is argued that learning disability is constructed in relation to concepts of fairness and justice, which a custody sergeant may utilise in accordance with their perception of professional identity. These constructs influence custody sergeants in their decision about how individual detainees should be treated and what kind of support should be made accessible to them whilst being detained.

Hazel’s comment:
Anecdotal evidence, from an acquaintance of mine who had a very bad experience recently of detention under the Mental Health Act, would indicate that training in how to deal with the mentally ill also needs to be undertaken.

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