Domestic Violence/Abuse (DVA) Peterborough Relationship Support (PRS)

What is Domestic Abuse? The government definition of Domestic Abuse (March 2013) is: ‘Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence of abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse: Psychological, Physical, Sexual, Financial, Emotional Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour. Coercive behaviour is: an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.’ This definition, which is not a legal definition, includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage and is clear that victims are not confied to one gender or ethnic group.

How common is Domestic Abuse? Domestic abuse is very common although there is no reliable national data on the general incidence of domestic abuse in the UK. (Hester 2008) In 2011/2012 - 1.2m (7.3%) women and 800k (5%) men reported having experienced domestic abuse. (ONS 2013) 5 million women (31%) and 2.9 men (18%) have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16. (Walby/Allen BCS 2011)

How common is Domestic Abuse? Domestic abuse accounts for 10% of emergency calls. (Labour party Freedom of info requests Feb2013) Domestic abuse has consistently accounted for between 16%-25% of all recorded violent crime. (Home Office 2004:Dodd et al. 2004) Domestic violence has repeatedly been identified as a major factor leading to death in or related to pregnancy and childbirth.

How common is Domestic Abuse? There has been 65% increase in DVA prosecutions between 2005/06 & 2010/11 and a corresponding 99% increase in no. of defendants convicted. (CPS 2011) Despite this, domestic abuse conviction rates in the 5 years to 2011 stood at just 6.5% of incidents reported to police. (Watson 2010, CPS 2011/2012)

Abusive behaviour by ANYONE towards ANYONE is unacceptable! PRS believe that……….. Abusive behaviour by ANYONE towards ANYONE is unacceptable!

So, what does an abuser look like?

DVA in certain cultures/classes? Research shows that DVA is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men. However due to different definitions and methodologies the degree of difference can vary considerably. There has historically (continuing today in many views) been a stigma around male victims/female perpetrators. Anyone in reality can experience domestic abuse regardless of gender, race, ethnic or religious group, class, disability or lifestyle.  DVA can also take place in gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender relationships. .

What is the cost of Domestic Abuse? The estimated cost of domestic abuse to the UK Society is £23 billion per annum. This includes £3.1 billion as the cost to the state, £1.3 billion as the cost to employers and human suffering costs of £17 billion (Walby 2004).

What are the effects of DVA on children? Around 750,000 children a year witness domestic abuse in their homes and in approx. 80% of cases they are in the same or next room. In approx. 50% of DVA situations the children are also being directly abused themselves. All children witnessing domestic abuse are being emotionally abused and are at increased risk of behavioral problems and mental health difficulties in adult life. Children may feel angry, guilty, insecure, alone, frightened, powerless or confused and feel ambivalent towards both the abuser and the non-abusing parent.

What are children learning?

How does Society react to DVA? Traditionally, much of the too little funding invested in domestic abuse incidents has been focused towards victims – but they are only half of the challenge Society has in dealing with this issue. If we are truly serious about reducing these incidents (reported and unreported) we need to raise a far greater awareness about the unacceptable abusive behaviours that occur and teach people instead about healthy, respectful behaviours.

How does Society react to DVA? Doing little or nothing to help perpetrators change is no longer an option as the ‘fallout’ of domestic abuse affects us all indirectly. We must educate men and women about ‘respectful relationships’. The majority of perpetrators have ‘learnt’ their abusive behaviour and can therefore learn non abusive ways of handling conflict situations.

So, what have PRS done?

Stop the Hurt Behaviour Change Programme Developed in 2011, this therapeutic, 17 session group work programme for men fills an identified gap in the market to work with perpetrators of domestic abuse to help them learn alternative, non abusive ways of handling difficult situations. The programme specifically targets ‘low to medium risk’ male perpetrators (as defined by the CAADA dash assessment tool) who are motivated and accept their abusive behaviour needs to change to either self refer themselves or are referred by others.

Stop the Hurt Behaviour Change Programme The programme is delivered in a non-judgemental way although it makes very clear that the behaviour the men have displayed is not acceptable. It seeks to raise men’s awareness of what ‘domestic abuse’ is, how it affects their partners/families and provides them with information and tools to handle situations more effectively and less aggressively.

Stop the Hurt Behaviour Change Programme Delivering this programme is expected to in time, be a contributor to reducing abusive behaviour in intimate relationships, helping keep families together (where appropriate) and ultimately reduce the number of victims. Delivering the STH programme has reinforced our belief and understanding that by building a respectful and therapeutic relationship with the men where we take an interest in their stories and experiences creates an atmosphere which stimulates the man’s natural emotion processing ability. Men are not generally encouraged to process (or even think about) their emotions but this model helps them deal with life’s ups and downs in a non-aggressive, positive way.

Stop the Hurt Behaviour Change Programme The 17 sessions include: Staying safe, self talk, minimisation/denial/victim empathy, managing emotions, assertiveness/powerlessness. Communication/non verbal communication, impact of DVA on children (1&2), gender and power (1&2), respectful intimacy (1&2), jealousy (1&2),respectful parenting, accountability/self esteem & review.

Stop the Hurt Behaviour Change Programme To date, STH has been delivered 11 times with 70 men (77%) completing the 17 session programme. This includes 3 deliveries in HMP Peterborough, 3 community, 3 partnered with Cambridgeshire Police, 1 partnered with Cambs & Peterborough Probation Trust and 1 partnered with Peterborough Children’s Services. Data available to date suggests 2 of the above men have re-offended by using abusive behaviour.

Stop the Hurt – the difference it makes…..

Stop the Hurt – the next steps….. We have been working this year reviewing and amending each session, removing the male gender focus and including female specific elements to enable a version of Stop the Hurt to be offered to female perpetrators. This is an innovative approach but is ‘unchartered territory’ so only time will tell whether it will be effective…………………………

Stop the Hurt – the next steps….. We also have a ‘respectful relationships’ programme specifically designed for young people which can be offered either to specifically targeted individuals known to be displaying abusive behaviours, or to whole groups of young people to raise their awareness in general to prevent them becoming involved in abusive relationships and/or behaviours.

Stop the Hurt – where is it available? PRS are based in Peterborough and Stop the Hurt is currently delivered within Cambridgeshire. However we are able and willing to deliver our programme in other areas as required.

Contact us Peterborough Relationship Support (PRS) Terri Zeferino or Nikki Bruce 01733 889090/01733 310197 info@peterboroughrelationshipsupport.co.uk