1st December- Tackling the cause of domestic abuse
There is no doubt that the women’s sector and domestic abuse sector has pushed forwards massive change over previous decades and there will always be a need for quality specialist services to assist survivors of domestic abuse. But victim/survivors are not to blame for the abuse they face, the cause sits squarely with the person perpetrating it.
In Barking and Dagenham, we have progressed significantly over the last 12 months. Initially through the LBBD Domestic and Sexual Violence Service we commissioned targeted perpetrator work alongside Refuge. As COVID restrictions first came in we noticed increased calls to the Respect Helpline at a similar rate to survivor helplines, and we had men perpetrators wanting to engage and professionals calling out for support. Cranstoun came to the borough in May 2020 and started delivering their Men and Masculinities course to great success and within the first quarter of delivery have filled their programmes.
People who choose to use abusive behaviours can also choose to stop, and there is support available to assist with changing behaviour (support links in the first comment).
Do you think that working with perpetrators is important when addressing domestic abuse – do you think it can be effective?
Support links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resources:
Mirabel Report – Steps Towards Change