Essex Police launched a new phase of a campaign in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on February 17, 2026, to help people change abusive habits. The project, titled Reflect, tells residents that saying sorry is not enough and encourages them to look at how their actions affect their partners.
The campaign focuses on behaviours that are often ignored, such as checking a partner’s phone, using cruel jokes to put them down, or trying to control what they do. This initiative comes as police data shows that violence and sexual offences were the most common crimes in the city, with 161 reports made in the Southend East area in December 2025 alone.
People who want to change their behaviour are being pointed toward Essex Compass, which is a central service that offers specialist help and support programmes. According to Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris, the chair of the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB), focusing on the person committing the abuse can have a real impact on community safety.
The campaign is run in partnership with several groups, including the charity Cranstoun, which manages early intervention services. The goal is to break the cycle of abuse early by making sure people take responsibility for their actions and get the right professional guidance to stop harmful behaviour.
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