In this episode, I’m joined by specialist psychiatric nurse Nicola Noel to unpack one of the most difficult but necessary conversations in safeguarding today—how risk is repeatedly missed, and why the consequences can be fatal.

Using the findings from the Southport inquiry as a starting point, we explore the uncomfortable truth:
the warning signs were there… and the outcome was preventable.

This isn’t about blame.
It’s about understanding where systems are failing—and what needs to change.

We cover:

• Why focusing on isolated incidents instead of patterns allows risk to escalate
• How early warning signs in childhood are often misunderstood or dismissed
• The impact of poor information sharing and lack of accountability across services
• The dangerous gap between mental health and criminal justice systems, and how risk gets passed between them
• Why exclusion, labelling, and minimisation can make situations worse—not better
• How the same behavioural patterns seen here mirror those in domestic abuse and coercive control cases

We also explore a critical question:
Are we too focused on avoiding criminalisation… at the cost of protecting lives?

This conversation goes beyond one case.
It highlights a much bigger issue:

👉 Risk is not always obvious
👉 It is not always easy to evidence
👉 And when we don’t understand it—we don’t just miss it
We create the conditions for harm

Whether you’re a professional working in safeguarding, mental health, education or policing—or someone trying to make sense of your own experience—this episode will challenge the way you think about risk, responsibility, and intervention.

Because the reality is this:

Patterns save lives.
But only if we’re trained to see them.

You can check out Nicola's work here:

And as always if you are impacted by abuse and need support or your a professional wanting to expand your own professional lens, head to the link tree:

https://linktr.ee/breakthecyclemovement

In this episode, I break down a form of risk that is often missed — not because it isn’t there, but because it doesn’t look the way people expect it to.

We’re taught to look for clear threats, visible harm, or obvious warning signs. But what happens when the fear is real… and yet nothing “concrete” seems to explain it?

Drawing on my own experience, I walk you through how perpetrators can create fear without ever making a direct threat. How seeds of uncertainty are planted, reinforced, and used to gain control — often leaving victims questioning their own reality.

This isn’t about misunderstanding.
This is about psychological destabilisation.

I also explain why risk often increases at the point of disclosure, why leaving can be the most dangerous time, and why listening to your instinct matters — even when you can’t fully make sense of it.

This episode is for both survivors and professionals who want to better understand how risk operates beneath the surface — and why we must learn to make the invisible visible.

Important: Safety always comes first. If you are in immediate danger or something is escalating, contact emergency services.

If you are personally navigating a situation like this, or need support post-separation, you can access the Heal & Self Advocacy Hub and the Safety Exit Plan via the link below.

If you are a professional—or someone who has come through the storm and now wants to support others—you can also register your interest in accredited trauma-informed training, available for individuals and teams.

🔗 https://linktr.ee/breakthecyclemovement

Most people are told to report abuse immediately.

But what if reporting at the wrong time actually increased your risk?

In this episode, I break down one of the most misunderstood aspects of domestic abuse—when to report, and when waiting could be the safer and more effective option.

We explore the key legal differences between coercive control and stalking, why some cases struggle to meet criminal thresholds, and how patterns of behaviour—not isolated incidents—are often what determine outcomes.

I also share practical, trauma-informed guidance on:

• How to safely exit a relationship
• Why boundaries and written communication are critical post-separation
• How to build a stronger evidential picture
• The mistakes that can unintentionally increase risk

This episode is for both survivors navigating abuse and professionals supporting them, offering insight into how risk is often misunderstood—and what needs to change.

Because understanding behaviour isn’t enough.

Recognising patterns is what saves lives.

If you need support or want to access the safety exit plan mentioned in this episode, you’ll find the link tree

And if you’re a professional or even a survivor looking to deepen your understanding of trauma-informed risk and pattern-based assessment, you can also register your interest using the link provided in the link tree

⁠https://linktr.ee/breakthecyclemovement

Welcome to the relaunch of the Domestic Abuse Breakthrough Show.

In this episode, I share why this platform has moved, what you can expect going forward, and why understanding coercive control, trauma, and risk has never been more important.

This show is for both survivors and professionals—because the gaps in understanding are still costing people their safety.

If you are navigating abuse, you are not alone.

If you are a professional, this is your opportunity to deepen your understanding and recognise risk more effectively.

You’ll find links in the Linktree to support, resources, and ways to access further guidance.

https://linktr.ee/breakthecyclemovement

If you feel in immediate risk, please call your country's emergency services.