Lead supervisor:
Dr Alison Tarrant 
Other supervisor(s):
- Dr Eleanor Rowan
Start date: January 2026
Award: General
Subject Pathway:
Criminology and Law
Thematic Cluster:
Rights and Governance Cluster
In partnership with:
Cries Unheard: Coercive Control, Pre-verbal Children and the Family Justice Response in Wales
This research explores how the experiences and needs of pre-verbal children are understood in private family law cases involving coercive control, with a particular focus on Wales.
Coercive control can affect family relationships and children's wellbeing in complex ways. For very young children who cannot yet describe their experiences verbally, understanding their needs presents particular challenges for the adults and professionals involved in family justice and safeguarding.
The study examines how children's experiences are understood within this context, considering relevant legal processes, professional guidance and research on domestic abuse and child development. It takes a qualitative socio-legal approach to explore the relationship between legal frameworks, professional practice and understandings of young children's experiences.
The research aims to contribute to a better understanding of how private family law processes can respond to the needs of very young children affected by domestic abuse and parental separation.