Torquay Parents Given Tips to Spot Early Signs of Abuse

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has published a guide for parents and carers in Torquay and the wider Torbay area to help them recognise early signs of coercive control. Published on 9 February 2026, the advisory focuses on non-physical types of abuse that often occur before physical violence and aims to help families access support earlier.

The guide, titled “The warning signs of coercion and control every parent needs to be aware of,” lists red flags for parents to watch for, including a partner checking someone’s phone, limiting access to bank accounts, or stopping them from seeing friends and family. Torbay Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS), which is run by Sanctuary Supported Living, emphasises that abuse can be psychological or financial as well as physical, and that recognising those forms of harm is a key step in keeping people safe.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said the work aims to break the cycle of violence by identifying controlling behaviours early. “The work and support on offer to those who have suffered domestic abuse is vital, but we will never break the chain of this violence without also focusing on the signs that precede it,” she said. Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, children who see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse are recognised as victims in their own right; spotting signs of coercive control early can help parents protect children from the long-term harms of living in a controlling household.

Residents worried about their own relationship or someone else’s can find local information and support via Torbay Council’s domestic abuse pages and the local Are You OK? campaign. The launch of the advisory follows the Commissioner’s January 2026 update report, which highlighted the importance of making sure everyone in the community knows where to turn for help.