Professor trains police in impact of language

NORTHUMBRIA University academic is delivering training to police forces that aims to tackle victim-blaming language during investigations.

- DANIEL HALL

Dr Patricia Canning Pask

Dr Patricia Canning Pask, assistant professor in the school of Humanities and Social Sciences, has developed ‘Language Matters’ training, which has been designed to shift the focus away from victims and on to perpetrators.

Cumbria Constabulary has become the second force in the UK to roll out the method to address language concerns and focus on non-blaming communication.

‘The programme covers all crime types with particular emphasis on domestic abuse and sexual violence, which disproportionately affect women and girls.

Dr Canning Pask said: “How language is used in policing and the wider justice system cannot be underestimated, especially when responding to and investigating domestic abuse.