Tackling domestic abuse
A new one to one counselling project for perpetrators of domestic abuse launched last week at an event arranged by Warwickshire County Council.
The Domestic Abuse Counselling Service (DACS), which has provided a counselling service to Warwickshire victims of domestic abuse since 2006, launched their new ‘Perpetrator Intervention Project’ at a networking event at the Techno Centre in Coventry on Tuesday 4 August.
Almost 70 professionals, representing 25 local services attended the event which was organised by the county council’s Domestic Abuse Manager, Sue Ingram.
Speaking about the day, Sue said: “This event was designed to provide colleagues from the Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse Partnership with the opportunity to showcase their services and network with other professionals who work with families.
“Many agencies set up information stands and everyone went away armed with details of other services to offer further support to their clients.
“Domestic abuse has devastating effects on whole families, we offer all the support we can to victims but reaching perpetrators and encouraging them to seek support is another important goal for us. As such we were delighted that Domestic Abuse Counselling Service used this event to launch the new arm of their valuable service.”
DACS provides a counselling service to those who have been victimised by domestic abuse living within Warwickshire. The aim of the victim counselling is to empower those who have been emotionally disabled, and socially disadvantaged by the impact of domestic abuse, toward living full and productive lives.
The service extension for perpetrators has been made possible due to successful bid for Big Lottery funding. DACS received £430 000 to set up and provide a program of therapeutic intervention therapy for perpetrators of abuse over the next 4 years. The funding will be used predominantly for staffing to deliver the project throughout Warwickshire.
Kate Farmer, chief officer for DACS said: “The event on Tuesday was the perfect opportunity to launch our new project within a multi-agency arena. The session was well organised by the county council who help services such as ours to work more effectively by providing ongoing support and invaluable links to other agencies.
“Our counselling service is made possible through the use of volunteer counsellors and is available to both male and female victims and perpetrators of abuse in heterosexual or same sex relationships. We believe that the only way to ‘effect change’ is to work with both victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse to reduce repeat victimisation and work toward building safer family relationships.
“The new project offers a programme of individual therapy to perpetrators with the aim to reduce abuse by helping people to recognise their personal issues and work toward making positive behavioural changes.
“We would like to encourage perpetrators to come forward and informally call the office for information. We also accept referrals from other voluntary and statutory agencies.”
To make a referral to DACS or for further information about the service please call 0845 00 44 075, or e-mail kate.farmer@dacservice.org.uk.
For help with domestic abuse issues or to find out about the Warwickshire Against Domestic Abuse partnership please visit http://www.talk2someone.org.uk or call 0800 408 1552.
In an emergency always dial 999.