The word "mayday" comes from the French 'm'aider', meaning 'help me'.
That's exactly what victims of coercive control are signalling, even if they can't say it out loud.

Specialist Training and Consultancy

Mayday provides specialist training and consultancy to help professionals and organisations build awareness, recognise, understand, and respond to coercive control, undue influence and high-control groups.High-control groups operate across communities, workplaces, universities, online spaces and other environments.Their methods of influence and control are often complex and difficult to identify. Mayday helps organisations and professionals build the knowledge, confidence and understanding needed to recognise these dynamics and respond appropriately.

Our work supports:

  • Frontline professionals

  • Community leaders

  • Community organisations

  • Safeguarding teams

  • Civic organisations

  • Organisations supporting vulnerable individuals and families

Specialist Training for Professionals and Organisations

Mayday specialist training provides practical, evidence-based learning designed around the needs of the organisations and professionals we work with.Our training is tailored to reflect different sectors, roles, and safeguarding priorities, supporting frontline professionals, community leaders and community organisations who may encounter individuals or families affected by coercive control, undue influence and high-control groups.

Participants learn to:

  • Recognise the characteristics and behaviours associated with high-control groups and coercive control.

  • Understand recruitment methods, psychological manipulation and undue influence.

  • Identify individuals who may be affected and respond using a trauma-informed approach.

  • Distinguish between legitimate groups and belief systems and groups that use coercive techniques of control.

  • Understand high-control group dynamics using Robert Jay Lifton’s criteria for thought reform as a framework.

  • Apply safeguarding best practice while respecting autonomy and avoiding the replication of controlling dynamics.

Mayday Training combines specialist knowledge with practical application, helping organisations and professionals recognise complex situations, take informed action and create meaningful change in responding to coercive control within high-control groups.

Consultancy and Specialist Support

Alongside training, Mayday provides consultancy support to organisations seeking to strengthen their safeguarding approach and understanding of coercive control and high-control groups.

Why this training is so important

Recognising coercive control and high-control group dynamics requires knowledge, confidence and informed judgement.For organisations, developing this understanding strengthens safeguarding, improves professional confidence and helps create more effective responses when concerns arise.

Investing in Mayday training supports organisations to:

  • Strengthen safeguarding practice.

  • Build confidence across teams.

  • Respond more effectively to complex situations.

  • Support safer, more informed communities.

Awareness → Action → Change.

Mayday's work goes beyond raising awareness. We help organisations and professionals develop the understanding, confidence and practical skills needed to recognise coercive control within high-control groups, take informed action and create meaningful change.

Greater understanding leads to earlier recognition, more confident responses and stronger safeguarding practice.

What is coercive control?

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour used to dominate, manipulate or restrict another person’s autonomy.
Rather than relying on physical violence, it often involves psychological, emotional and social methods designed to create dependency, reduce independence and influence a person’s thoughts, choices and behaviour.
Coercive control is not limited to intimate relationships. It can also be present within high-control groups, where leaders or systems use techniques of influence, manipulation and control to maintain authority over members.

These techniques can include:

  • Isolation from family, friends or outside information.

  • Gaslighting and undermining a person’s confidence in their own experiences.

  • Monitoring communications, activities or behaviour.

  • Using fear, shame, guilt or obligation to influence decisions.

  • Creating dependency and limiting opportunities for independence.

Mayday helps participants understand these patterns while making an important distinction between legitimate groups and belief systems, and groups that use coercive methods of control.
Understanding coercive control is essential to recognising undue influence and supporting those affected.

What is a high-control group?

High-control groups (sometimes referred to as cults) are groups or organisations where members experience significant levels of influence and control over their thoughts, behaviours, relationships or personal choices.
High-control groups may use techniques such as manipulation, isolation, pressure, fear, dependency and control of information to maintain influence over members.
It is important to distinguish between legitimate groups, communities, and belief systems, and groups that use coercive methods of control.

Mayday explores how these patterns develop, how they affect individuals and communities, and how professionals and organisations can respond appropriately.

Bring Mayday Training and Consultancy to your organisation

  • Mayday provides tailored training and consultancy designed around the needs of your organisation, sector and safeguarding priorities.

  • Training can be delivered in person or online, with content and format adapted to suit your audience, location and requirements.

  • Whether you are looking for a focused awareness session, a more in-depth training programme, or specialist consultancy support, we work with you to develop an approach that meets your needs.

to discuss how Mayday can support your organisation, book corporate or individual training, or to find out more