1. Nick Young Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Service (DAPS) Bracknell Forest Council

2. About DAPS
Men only
Referrals come from CSC. Men have to be in families where child(ren) are on CP or high-end CIN
Centred around a one-to-one intervention programme
Other things include assessments, reports for court, support service for clients when they are experiencing episodes of anger/sadness/depression

3. Theoretical underpinnings
Gender inclusive – acceptance that in Situational Couple Violence relationships the abuse may be two-way BUT…
The Perpetrator is always responsible and held accountable for his abusive behaviour AND…
There IS an extreme end of the DA spectrum - “Coercive Control” – that is more explicitly gendered.
The Perpetrator gets something out of his abusive behaviour and developing discrepancy between his actions and his core values is vital in instigating change.
In some cases, individual’s personality traits/disorders and relationship dynamics are more important in understanding and treating perpetrators than the traditional Power and Control models.

4. Domestic Violence: Relationship Pattern Types (Kelly and Johnson, 2008)
4 part typology:
Separation Instigated Violence
Situational Couple Violence
Violent Resistance
Coercive Control
Family court review

5. Coercive Control Almost completely male perp/female victim
Relationship entails range of abuse – physical, sexual, emotional, isolation
Power, control and subjugation of victim the primary motivation
Higher likelihood of severe violence/murder
Degradation – humiliation.

6. Separation Instigated Violence
No previous abuse in relationship – violence is uncharacteristic.
Usually perpetrated by the non-initiating partner
Little use of minimisation/denial – more likely to accept responsibility/culpability
Relatively short-term phenomena – represents “temporary loss of psychological control”.

7. Situational Couple Violence
Violence/abuse is two way
Couple both have problems regulating emotions
Poor conflict resolution skills
Alcohol/substance misuse sometimes a factor
Accounts for the majority of referrals to the DAPS

8. Violent Resistance
Essentially self defence, but renamed to make it distinct from the legal concept of self defence
A reaction to Coercive Control – so usually female on male
Rarely reported to Police
Also 1 n/a as was adolescent to parent.

9. Perpetrator Types (Holtzworth-Monroe and Stuart, 1994)
Generally Violent
Borderline/Dysphoric
Family Only
Talk about how perp programmes can’t be one size fits all. But perps can be broken down into 3 types which can inform the treatment path.

10. Generally Violent Mod-High severity of violence
Mod-High Level of psychological and sexual abuse
High likelihood of extrafamilial violence
High likelihood of other criminal behaviour
Personality disorders tend to include anti-social PD
High likelihood of alcohol/substance misuse
Low levels of depression
Mod levels of anger

11. Borderline/Dysphoric
Mod-High severity of violence
Mod-High levels of psychological/sexual abuse
Low-med levels of extrafamilial violence
Low-med levels of other criminal behaviour
Personality disorders tend to be borderline or schizoid
High levels of depression
High levels of anger
Talk about negative affectivity – co-existing intense emotions Anger/jealousy/fear/dysphoria

12. Family Only Low severity of violence (?)
Low levels of psychological and sexual abuse (?)
Low levels of extrafamilial violence
Low levels of other criminal behaviour
No personality disorder as such, possibly passive/dependent
Low levels of alcohol/drug abuse
Moderate levels of anger (?)
Talk about how sense of self is overly invested in relationship.

13. The Programme Two phases: Engagement and Action Engagement 5 weeks.
Action 8-10 weeks

14. Engagement sessions
Welcome – “where you’re at”. Miracle question. Gains and losses. Time Out.
Values cards exercise. Motivation to change.
Duluth wheel exercise – Power and Control.
Strengths cards exercise – confidence building.
Review gains and losses, Equality Wheel exercise. “Where does this leave you?”
Goal planning for the Action phase (if applicable)
Each session scores 1-10 expressed levels of culpability/responsibility/remorse
Highlights how abusive behaviour is working against core values and aspirations. Being a good parent.

15. Action Modules Incident deconstruction (patterns/triggers)
Positive and negative self-talk
I-statements
Negotiation
Active listening
Assertiveness
Anger Management
Relaxation
Empathy and Perspective taking
Managing children’s behaviour
Communication – empathy for violent/coercive control. Is empathy something that can be taught? Debates in forensic science.

16. Outcomes TOTAL number of men to go through the service: 46
Number of men with children on CP at the point of referral: 27
Of these 27:
21 Men have had children removed from Child Protection Plans and placed on Child in Need plans (45 individual CPPs reduced)
1 man had child’s case transferred out of area
5 men had children who were on CP who subsequently became LAC

17. Outcomes continued….
Number of men with children on CIN plans at point of referral who were referred to DAPS for preventative work: 18
Of these 18:
15 did not have their child/children’s CIN plan “escalated” to a CP plan.
1 had children’s CIN plans discontinued but had disengaged from DAPS after only one session.
2 men had children on CIN plans that were subsequently made subject to CP despite preventative work.
Others:
1 man’s children were LAC at the point of referral and remained LAC.

18. Some nice things people have said about DAPS….
“The part on positive thinking teaches you to think rather than just lash out.” (Perpetrator)
“I think it’s made me feel safer and more at ease. Before, I wasn’t an equal partner. I’m more equal now and more secure about myself. He pays me compliments now and is being more of an adult.” (Partner)
“If he could feel something starting, he could walk away from it and take some time out to think about it.” (Partner)
“It shows you not how to command respect, but how to develop respect. It has taught me more of an education rather than just to tell you what to do and you do it asap.” (Perpetrator)

19. Some more nice things people have said about DAPS….
“He is more willing to listen and understand. Before, if I had a problem it would blow up into a massive argument.” (Partner)
I didn’t realise that the arguing I had with my wife which they overheard could have such an effect on them. That is another thing the programme has made me aware of and I have tried to curb that. (Perpetrator).
“We have four children and I do feel that it has made a difference to them. They are a lot happier now. They didn’t want him to be around before but now they want him here. (Partner)”
“The kids report that Dad doesn’t shout any more.” (Social Worker)
“I have been trying to find this support for ages. It was not offered to me before … it’s been amazing, it has really changed my life for the better. There is a lack of services like this which places people in a difficult position. It has just helped me so much.” (Perpetrator)
“I think it’s just really good and hope they can carry on with what they are doing as I think a lot of people could benefit from it.” (Partner)

20. Any Questions???