Support services and agencies for perpetrators
There are two types of domestic violence perpetrator programmes in the UK – criminal justice programmes and voluntary community based programmes. Criminal justice based programmes are usually run by probation or prison staff, and take only referrals from the criminal courts as part of a sentence for a conviction for a violent or abusive incident. Voluntary community based programmes are usually run by a voluntary sector organisation or part of a voluntary/statutory sector partnership, and can take self referrals as well as referrals from Children’s Services, from the family courts and a range of other services. In order to make sure that the programme is run as safely as possible and with the maximum possible chance of supporting change a risk assessment and management plan will be undertaken. Both types of programmes will also have links to safety and/or support services for partners and ex-partners of programme participants.
Anger management programmes, educational programmes for men, awareness raising short course and couples counselling services are NOT domestic violence perpetrator programmes as they do not include the full range of service necessary to provide a safe and meaningful opportunity for domestic violence perpetrators to stop being violent. For anger management programmes this is primarily because they are about managing anger, not stopping violence and promoting safety. They do not have contact with partners/ex-partners and we do not recognise a service without such contact as being a safe service for perpetrators. Couples counselling alone, whilst it can and often does form a useful addition after successful behaviour change in a perpetrator programme, does not constitute a perpetrator programme, primarily because couples counselling will not be safe and effective for victims to participate in freely, a requirement for couples counselling to be meaningful.
The nearest voluntary programme is in West Berkshire called ‘Making Changes’.
Making Changes is a local programme run by the West Berkshire Domestic Abuse Forum and is designed for any man over the age of 18yrs who is violent or abusive towards a female partner or ex partner. Making Changes consists of 2 assessment sessions and a 24 week group work programme. The group work takes place in Newbury on a weekday evening for 2 hours. The programme is free of charge to any man living in the West Berkshire Council area and there is a cost to those living outside of West Berkshire.
To refer yourself or someone you know onto the programme call the programme coordinator on : 01635 264694
Helplines and Useful Websites
Respect - http://www.respectphoneline.org.uk/phoneline.php
Helpline offering information and advice to people who are abusive towards their partners and want help to stop
The Respect Phoneline is open Monday - Friday 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm
CALL: 0845 122 8609 (same cost as a local call if you ring from a landline)
EMAIL: info@respectphoneline.org.uk
VISIT: http://www.respectphoneline.org.uk
Books for Men who are violent or abusive
Man to Man : A Guide for Men in Abusive Relationships by Edward W. Gondolf, David M. Russell (1994)
Violent No More: Helping Men End Domestic Abuse by Michael Paymar (2000)
Help lines
- National helpline
(24 hrs)
0808 2000 247 - Oxfordshire domestic abuse helpline
0800 731 0055 - Police
(non emergency)
101 - Victim support
0845 450 3883 - Kiran Asian
women’s aid
0208 558 1986 - Men's advice line
0808 801 0327 - Broken Rainbow
(LGBT)
020 8539 9507 - Elder abuse
0808 808 8141 - Childline
0800 1111
