The Newsroom

Explore the latest news and updates from The First Step. From service developments to awareness campaigns and community partnerships, this is where we share the work being done to support and empower those affected by domestic abuse.

Behind Closed Doors - Film & Press Release

Behind Closed Doors - A short film highlighting Coercive Control

(TW. Coercive Control & Domestic Abuse, Explicit Language)

“Behind Closed Doors”: Domestic abuse film shows how women overcome coercive control

The First Step film highlights women standing up to coercion as domestic abuse

A short film released on The First Steps 30^th anniversary shines light on the crucial work this charity does to help women recognise coercive control as a debilitating form of domestic abuse and protect themselves from perpetrators in the home.

Produced in collaboration with Media Trust, the 4-minute film exposes the insidious abuse and encourages swift action to take a stand against the cycle of coercion. This form of domestic abuse involves the gradual erosion of one’s autonomy and control by a relationship partner or family member. Despite being a precursor to physical abuse and femicide, coercive control is largely misidentified and unreported.

The film was developed with the support and insight of survivors of domestic abuse from Knowsley, who wanted to highlight how coercive control can manifest through behaviours that are often hidden and sometimes even portrayed as expressions of love.

The story follows a woman whose partner gradually isolates her from friends and family, accuses her of infidelity, and manipulates situations to portray her responses to abuse as mental health issues. As she begins to recognise the abuse and rebuild her strength, she makes the brave decision to leave.

The film also shines a light on a lesser-discussed form of abuse, exploring the experiences of mothers who are abused by their adult sons. It concludes with the abuser’s own mother being encouraged to seek support, reinforcing the message that help is available and that no one should face abuse alone.

Caroline Grant Chief Executive of The First Step

"The film shines a light on coercive control, one of the most insidious and misunderstood forms of domestic abuse, exposing the reality of harm that often remains hidden because there may be no visible physical violence. Yet coercive control is a common feature in many domestic homicide reviews and is increasingly recognised as a key factor in the growing number of women who die by suicide because of abuse.

Research from the Femicide Census shows that, on average, 8% of all femicides are perpetrated by sons. In Merseyside, however, that figure rises to 17%. It was therefore critical that the film reflects these experiences of mothers who face abuse and highlights forms of abuse that are often overlooked.

By bringing these stories to light, the film aims to show women and girls experiencing abuse that they are not alone, that their experiences are sadly not unique, and that support is available."

The First Step was selected alongside nine other charities to take part in a new film initiative led by Media Trust in partnership with The Crucible Foundation. Each participating charity works across areas of trauma—including domestic abuse, sexual violence, harassment and trafficking—and is paired with a skilled volunteer filmmaker to produce a short film that shares their work and highlights the realities survivors face.

Grassroots organisations like The First Step are often on the frontline supporting women at the highest risk of harm, yet they receive only a small proportion of national funding. Opportunities like this help bridge that gap by enabling smaller charities to access professional storytelling and media support that would otherwise be out of reach. The resulting film will help amplify the voices of survivors, raise awareness of domestic abuse, and ensure that more women who need support know where to turn for help.

Media Trust hosted its 10th annual Women’s Voices event on 4 March 2026 at Meta Brock Street, where The First Step’s short film was showcased. Representatives from the charity were paired with an exceptional team of skilled volunteers who worked together to develop a campaign designed to raise awareness of domestic abuse and support the organisation in securing future funding.

For more than 30 years, First Step has supported and advocated for survivors of domestic abuse in Knowsley as the area’s only independent specialist service. Its independence allows the organisation to build trust with survivors who may not yet be ready for, or who do not wish to pursue, state intervention.

Independent services play a vital role in supporting all survivors of abuse, including those who are not engaged with the criminal justice system. By providing confidential, specialist support, First Step ensures that survivors can access help in a safe and supportive environment, at a pace that is right for them.

However, despite research consistently showing that independent specialist services achieve the best outcomes for survivors, the current funding landscape remains a significant challenge. A lack of sustained investment means that many survivors who reach out for support are unable to access the help they urgently need. While the government has committed to halving violence against women and girls within the next decade, organisations like First Step continue to rely heavily on donations and fundraising to maintain essential services and meet growing demand.

First Step believes in giving a voice to the voiceless and shining a light on how meaningful learning from lived experience can shape a stronger response to abuse. In 2023, Knowsley was identified as the area with the highest rate of women killed by men in the UK. In response, and in a call for change, First Step partnered with the Femicide Census to publish a review in 2024 of every woman killed in Merseyside since 2010.

The review revealed stark findings:
• 95% of women knew their killer
• 64% were killed after leaving their abuser or while taking steps to leave
• 17% of all killings of women in Merseyside during the period reviewed were domestic homicides – more than double the national average of 8%
• In 100% of cases where a formal review was published, serious failings were identified across state services including police, probation and local authorities

The findings highlight the urgent need for independent specialist support. The report also demonstrates the critical role independent organisations play in ensuring that the experiences of victims are heard and learned from. Too often, it falls to services like First Step to act as the voice of women who can no longer speak for themselves.

First Step has a long-established track record of elevating the experiences of local residents to drive change both locally and nationally in the response to violence against women and girls and domestic abuse. The organisation hopes to demonstrate how the courage and resilience of those who place their trust in its services have helped shape not only the development of this film, but also wider efforts to improve support for women experiencing abuse.

Their stories continue to drive the push for change and give hope for a safer future.

Behind Closed Doors - Mothers Day Campaign

Matricide: A hidden but disproportionate risk in Knowsley

These short films, developed as part of our Behind Closed Doors campaign, expose a frequently overlooked form of violence against women: the killing of mothers by their adult children.

While domestic homicide is most commonly associated with intimate partner abuse, national data shows that approximately 8% of women killed in the UK are murdered by their sons. However, findings from the Femicide in Merseyside: 15 Years of Failing Women report reveal a significantly more concerning local picture.

Across Merseyside, this figure rises to 17%—more than double the national average—with Knowsley identified as one of the areas where this pattern is particularly pronounced.

This disparity highlights a critical gap in how risk is understood and assessed. Abuse perpetrated by adult children often sits outside traditional safeguarding frameworks, meaning warning signs can be missed and opportunities for intervention lost.

The videos are intended to support professionals across safeguarding, criminal justice, health, and social care to recognise these dynamics more clearly. They explore the intersection of coercive control, dependency, mental health, and familial roles—factors which can obscure risk and complicate professional responses.

By bringing visibility to matricide within a local context, the campaign aims to strengthen professional curiosity, improve risk identification, and support more effective multi-agency responses in areas where the need is most acute.

Source: Femicide Census, “Femicide in Merseyside: 15 Years of Failing Women”

PCC Congratulates TFS on 30 Years

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Congratulates The First Step on 30-Year Milestone

The First Step is proud to celebrate 30 years of providing vital support to women and children across Knowsley and Merseyside. This milestone was recently marked with heartfelt congratulations from Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner.

Emily Spurrell said:

*"Thirty years is an incredible milestone, and The First Step should be deeply proud of the legacy it has built. Over three decades, you have stood beside women during some of their most vulnerable moments, offering safety, understanding, and unwavering support.

To have remained a women-led leadership throughout this time shows a remarkable commitment to empowering local women and giving them the space to lead with integrity and compassion.

The impact you’ve had on individuals, families, and our wider community is profound, and it is a privilege to support your vital work and stand alongside you in the fight to tackle, prevent and ultimately end Violence Against Women and Girls.

My warmest congratulations go to the whole team – past and present – on this milestone anniversary and my sincere thanks for everything you’ve done, and continue to do, for women across our region."*

For three decades, The First Step has been committed to standing with women and children at their most vulnerable, providing safety, understanding, and empowerment. Remaining women-led throughout this time is central to the organisation’s ethos, enabling it to empower local women and deliver compassionate, effective support to the community.

The First Step thanks Emily Spurrell for her recognition and for standing alongside the organisation in the ongoing fight to prevent and end Violence Against Women and Girls.

Charities and Media Experts Unite at Women’s Voices 2026 Event

At The First Step, we know how powerful storytelling can be in creating change. Films and media have the ability to shift attitudes, influence policy, and open up new opportunities for communities.

Earlier this week (March 2026), the tenth annual Women’s Voices event took place in London, bringing together ten charities tackling violence against women and girls with volunteers from leading media and creative organisations, ahead of International Women’s Day.

To mark the 10th anniversary, Media Trust partnered with UN Women UK to produce ten short films showcasing the work of participating charities. The event focused on helping each charity develop strategies to ensure their films have maximum impact, going beyond raising awareness to inspire real action.

Industry volunteers worked closely with the charities, offering their expertise in media strategy, storytelling, and creative planning. This collaboration ensures the films reach the right audiences and drive meaningful change in communities across the UK.

With ongoing efforts to halve violence against women and girls, the implementation of the Online Safety Act, and growing concern about harmful online influences, initiatives like Women’s Voices are more important than ever.

A huge thank you to everyone who made the day possible:

Meta, Ian Edwards, and Media Trust for hosting this event
Claire Throssell MBE for an inspiring keynote speech
The 80 incredible industry volunteers who shared their skills
Our dedicated breakout team who created meanigful vision to launch our campaign.

Coercive Control at Christmas - Advert

Coercive Control Doesn’t Take a Holiday: Spot the Signs This Christmas

(TW: Coercive Control & Domestic Abuse)

Abuse isn’t always physical. Coercive control isolates, intimidates, and strips away freedom — and it is a crime.

With Knowsley recording the highest femicide rate in the UK in 2023, recognising the warning signs early can save lives. This film is for survivors, families, friends, and professionals, because there is a way out.

At the heart of our Christmas awareness campaign is coercive and controlling behaviour. This powerful short film exposes one of the most hidden and misunderstood forms of domestic abuse, showing how it erodes confidence, independence, and a person’s sense of self.

We are proud to have created this film in partnership with Media Trust, Newland TV, and UNWomenUK, alongside an extraordinary cast and crew who brought this vision to life.

This short is just the beginning of Behind Closed Doors, a 2026 project that will sensitively depict lived experiences of abuse in Knowsley. Our hope is to help people recognise abuse, seek support, and know that they are never alone.

Femicide in Merseyside - 15 Years of Failing Women

Femicide In Merseyside - 15 Years of Failing Women

In 2021, the specialist domestic abuse sector called an emergency meeting with local leaders as they predicted the area was on the precipice of a crisis for women and girls. In March 2023, The Femicide Census identified Knowsley as the constituency with the highest rate of killed women in the United Kingdom for the previous 12-month period. To reduce the disproportionate killing of women and girls in Merseyside and evoke change, the specialist VAWG sector has commissioned a review into the deaths of women and girls in Merseyside since 2009.

This is the report and findings - Read The Report

Voices For Change Conference

First-Ever Conference Spotlighting Local and National Domestic Abuse Responses

(Left to right - Naomi Mitchell, Nicole Jacbos, Nogah Ofer, Caroline Grant, Lucy Baker)

After months of careful planning and preparation, The First Step successfully hosted its first conference highlighting both national and local responses to tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

We are grateful to our partners, including Joshua Griffiths from Amazon LPL2, for their support in bringing this event to life.

The conference featured an outstanding line-up of guest speakers:

Nicole Jacobs, National Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales
Nogah Ofer, Solicitor at the Centre for Women’s Justice
Isabella Lowenthal-Isaacs, Senior Policy & Practice Lead, Women’s Aid Federation of England
Clarrie O’Callaghan, Director and Co-Founder of the Femicide Census

Congratulations to our Chief Executive, Caroline Grant, for leading this incredible initiative and ensuring the event’s success.

This conference formed part of Day 12 of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, reinforcing our commitment to supporting survivors and influencing change in our communities.