Communication strategy
Domestic Abuse — Authorised Professional Practice
Summary
The Communication Strategy for domestic abuse within policing emphasizes the importance of careful media engagement at the investigation stage. Officers must recognize that improper online commentary and media coverage could jeopardize the integrity of criminal proceedings and the defendant's right to a fair trial. Forces are encouraged to collaborate with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and partner agencies to develop their communication strategies. Key considerations during media interactions include prioritizing the safety and privacy of victims and witnesses, avoiding prejudicial statements, maintaining consistent messaging, and reinforcing the criminal nature of domestic abuse. In high-profile cases, agencies should focus on the seriousness of the offense and the victim-centered responses provided by law enforcement and associated partners.
Key principles
- 1Prioritize victim and witness safety and privacy
- 2Avoid prejudicing ongoing proceedings
- 3Issue clear, lawful, and consistent messaging
- 4Reinforce the criminal nature of domestic abuse
- 5Promote awareness of support services and police commitment to victim safety
Defined terms
- high-profile or sensitive cases
- Cases attracting significant public or media interest, particularly domestic homicides or similar incidents.
Full guidance
Guidance on the police approach to domestic abuse.
This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
At the investigation stage, officers should be aware that uncontrolled or inappropriate online commentary and media reporting may be damaging to future criminal proceedings. It may facilitate defence submissions of abuse of process or affect the defendant’s ability to have a fair trial.
Forces should ensure that any communication strategy is developed in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the force press office and, where appropriate, relevant partner agencies.
When managing media enquiries or issuing public statements, officers should:
prioritise victim and witness safety and privacy * avoid prejudicing ongoing proceedings * issue clear, lawful and consistent messaging across agencies * reinforce the criminal nature and unacceptability of domestic abuse * use opportunities to promote awareness of support services and the police commitment to victim safety
In cases attracting significant public or media interest, particularly domestic homicides or other high-profile or sensitive cases , forces should ensure that communication focuses on:
the seriousness of the offence * the coordinated, victim-centred response taken by the force and its partners
For further information, go to the media and communications APP .
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Read the full APP guidanceSource: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.