Programme for Bristol men to stop hurting their partners is one year old

A programme to help men stop hurting their partners celebrates its first year this month.  The Stopping Violence programme, the first of its kind in Bristol where men volunteer to take part, has had now over fifty men contacting the service. The first men have now completed the course.

"Attending the programme gives men practical skills to stop being abusive and helps them develop a relationship based on respect and equality. A crucial part of this is to provide a safety support service for the partners or ex-partners", said Lesley Welch of Safer Bristol which funds the work.

"It is proving very successful. We have had a really positive response from those who have completed it, their partners have told us there has been a real improvement in their behaviour", she said.

In order to design an effective scheme based on evidence from services elsewhere, Safer Bristol commissioned research to be carried out by the University of Bristol which was published in a report Time For Change report http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/research/projects/completed/2006/rk6555.

An important element to the training is that the female partners are contacted, monitored and supported throughout the course.

"We know from our regular contact that the women partners are feeling safer, said Charlotte.
"One woman said, I feel less frightened of my partner. He seems happier and we are actually starting to enjoy being together again".

Other women have found that if the relationship has to end, the programme has helped this to be safer for them and their children.

Anyone who is interested in joining a group or would just like to ask a question about the service, can telephone Charlotte on 07587 770048 or check on our website.

Background

There were 7,500 incidents of domestic violence reported to police in Bristol last year and 6000 of those incidents were in households which had children.  Many women are seriously injured or killed (more than 100 women in England and Wales are killed by a partner or former partner every year).

The only other behaviour-change support for perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse in Bristol is for convicted offenders and is often required as part of their sentence while they are in the criminal justice system.

Further press information from Charlotte on 07587 770048 or Vicky O'Loughlin on 07747460496.