Home Office Good Practice Seminars
Violent Crime Seminar
Workshops - 16 September
Workshop 2
Working with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Anne Haynes, Consultant, and Sue Penna, Cornwall Domestic Violence Forum
This workshop looked at the Cornwall programme for working with the perpetrators of domestic violence.
The Cornwall programme is based on the Duluth (USA) Model of working with perpetrators. The programme consists of nine modules, delivered over 27 weeks.
The modules are based on the victim's experience of domestic violence. They are designed to help the perpetrator face up to their behaviour and change it. The programme aims to help perpetrators develop equal and respectful relationships. The modules cover:
intimidation
emotional abuse
isolation
minimising the problem, denying its existence and blaming the victim
use of children
use of male privilege
economic abuse
coercion and threats
responsible parenting.
The programme is run in small groups by trained facilitators.
Different agencies have a different view of the victims needs and problems, so it is important to get as much partnership involvement as possible in the programme. General practitioners generally don't get engaged.
The programme has been run and evaluated by the probation service, but the best evaluation criteria are the changes that can be seen in individual perpetrators. Many perpetrators of domestic violence come from abusive backgrounds, and the programme has to challenge long held beliefs and what are seen as social norms.
It is important to view the issue of domestic violence as a community issue. Much work has been done to engage other agencies and community groups by running awareness and training sessions. It's important in doing this to make the language accessible to non-professionals.
One difficulty has been in getting managers in to the classroom, but where commitment is gained at this level, implementing the programme is much easier.
The project is in its early stages and some thinking about how to deal with problems has been changed as a result of the work carried out so far. However, the early results on individuals behaviour is encouraging.
Download the Working with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence PowerPoint presentation (56 Kb)
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