SCHOOLS joined forces to show staff how to spot the signs of students suffering abuse in the home.

Trainer Sarah Wigley delivered a session funded by Safer Wyre Forest to staff from seven schools about how to spot the signs students may be being coercively controlled in relationships.

The initiative was part of a 16 days of action campaign highlighting male violence against women and girls.

Lindsey Bates, achievement leader and deputy safeguarding lead at King Charles I High School, which hosted the training, said: "Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Training professionals to have awareness, education and empathy can help in recognising signs of coercive control.”

Coercive control can take the form of physical or psychological abuse and leaves victims questioning their own judgement and instincts and alienated from friends and family.

Kathryn Underhill, Safer Wyre Forest chair, said: “We were pleased to support this important training as part of our wider 16 Days of Action campaign. In the UK, thousands of children and young people are living in homes with domestic abuse, which can have a lasting and devastating impact on them.

"It’s so important that our educators are able to recognise the signs of abuse, including coercive control and how to support young people that are suffering.”

The schools involved in the sessions were King Charles I School, Baxter College, Franche Primary, Foley Park Academy, St Mary's C of E Primary, Haybridge High School, Hagley Primary and Kidderminster College.