Safeguarding in adult social care and coercive control:
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Safeguarding in adult social care and coercive control: Perspectives from victims/survivors and adult social care practitioners
IRAS ID
361393
Contact name
Lucy IB Jacobs
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Sheffield
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
240226488, The University of Sheffield Student Reg Number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Summary
This research explores how women who are victims of coercive control in abusive relationships experience the safeguarding process provided by Adult Social Care (ASC) services in England. Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse that involves tactics like manipulation, isolation, and control over a person’s daily life. It was made a criminal offence in the UK in 2015.
Local authorities have a legal duty to protect adults who are at risk of abuse and unable to protect themselves due to care and support needs. This protection process is known as “safeguarding.” However, there is limited research on how safeguarding works in cases of coercive control, especially for women who cannot leave their homes and rely on care.
The study aims to:
• Understand how women with care needs experience safeguarding when facing coercive control.
• Explore how social workers and other professionals interpret the law and work together to support these women.
• Identify gaps in support and highlight examples of good practice.
• Use findings to improve policies and professional guidance.Research Approach
The study will use a feminist, phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of victims. It will be carried out in three phases and include interviews with women who have experienced safeguarding, as well as professionals involved in the process. A Project Advisory Group, made up of people with lived experience of domestic abuse or safeguarding, will help guide the research.
Data will be collected through interviews and analysed using a combination of methods to ensure reliability. Some interviews may be conducted online or face-to-face, depending on participants’ preferences and circumstances.
The goal is to improve how safeguarding services respond to victims of coercive control and ensure their needs are better met.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0219
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion