Male and Female Prevention Programme
The Programme aims to challenge the beliefs of perpetrators of domestic abuse/violence and demonstrate that abusive behaviour is unacceptable by placing the emphasis on the perpetrator to change their behaviour and way of thinking.
The Arch prevention programme is a set of weekly group sessions lasting between 2 to 2½ hours over a 30-week period. All participants attending will have or had a history of perpetrating domestic abuse/violence.
Initially participants will attend an initial interview followed by a number of pre-group one-to-one sessions. We use this to assess your suitability and to measure your progress whilst attending the programme. The facilitators will listen to you without judging you. We will assist you to think about how to change. You will be required to sign a contract and accept that we will be contacting your partner, ex-partner at regular intervals. We will also be in contact with any other relevant agencies. This could be Social Services, Probation, Police, etc.
Contact with any partner, ex-partner is to ensure their and any children's safety. Throughout the Prevention Programme sessions, you will talk about your behaviour in a group setting and acknowledge that you have been abusive whilst in a relationship, become involved in structured discussion, group discussion, written exercises, brainstorming and completion of homework. You will learn what constitutes domestic abuse/violence and learn to understand your behaviour and the impact this has had on your partner, ex-partner and any children involved.
Are you being / have you been abusive in an intimate relationship?
Identify that you are being/have been abusive in your relationship and accept that 'you' need to change.
Ask yourself 'Is my relationship with my partner and/or my children suffering?', 'Are they constantly treading on eggshells and trying to second-guess your mood?', 'Is my partner frightened of me?'
Domestic abuse/violence comes in many forms, but is always about
power and control - forcing your partner to do what you want, when
you want, not what they want.
Recognise your abusive actions and behaviours
affect the whole family (including extended family and friends) and
that your violence and abuse will have a devastating effect on any
children involved, even before birth.
Stop. Decide that you no longer want to control and abuse. Only you can take control over your behaviour and learn not to be violent and abusive. You cannot blame anyone but yourself for your actions.
Take accountability for your actions, behaviours and for your abuse. Stop blaming your actions on your partner, children or on any other reason such as drink, drugs, stress, work, etc. Stop minimising your behaviour by thinking that 'it isn't that bad' or 'wasn't that bad'.
How bad does it get before you do anything to stop?
Would you live with someone who behaves the way you do?
You can promise yourself repeatedly that it will not happen again, but it probably will if you do nothing to help yourself to stop the abuse/violence.
Contact Details
Direct Dial - 01782 683 765 (Answer Phone Facility)
Text - 07884 430 791
Email - dv.services@archnorthstaffs.org.uk
