NEW DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE TO TARGET ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR

New services aimed at breaking the cycle of domestic abuse by helping people reflect on the damage their behaviour causes and change their ways are now available.   The services, backed by £450,000 of Home Office funding over the next three years, have been developed by Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership.   To mark the launch of the services Essex Police has re-released its award-winning ‘Reflect’ domestic abuse perpetrator short film. The film can be found at: https://youtu.be/wHmwEkvaKTU     The services available will include:  

• A single point of access, a dedicated resource to respond to pathway enquiries and signpost people needing help with their behaviour onto the appropriate intervention. Delivered by the Change Project.
• A mentoring programme to work with young men aged 13-18 who are at risk currently using abusive behaviours within an abusive relationship. Delivered by Essex Youth Service.
• An outreach service, to focus on engaging with people who are using abusive behaviours in their relationship, within the community. Delivered by the Change Project.
• A prison intervention programme: an educational behaviour change programme to challenge and underpin the attitudes of abusive behaviours for people who are in custody. Delivered by Essex Community Rehabilitation Company.
• The bystander intervention: an educational programme for the prevention of sexual coercion and domestic abuse in university settings.
• Enhanced support services for victims.

  A support line has been set up so that anyone concerned about their behaviour or wanting to find help for someone else can get advice or be referred to the service that meets their need. The dedicated telephone number for the pathway is 07841999342 and the service is currently available between Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm.   Chair of the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board, Cllr Dick Madden, said: “It’s vital there is help for people who are abusive in their relationship so they change their behaviour before it causes any more damage. It will also give other concerned family, friends, professionals or members of the public a direct route so they can get advice and support and I am confident it will make a big difference in our work to stop domestic abuse in Essex.”   The Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Jane Gardner, who sits on the Board said: “This is excellent news and I look forward to seeing the benefits of this additional funding. Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse is one of the objectives in the Police and Crime Plan. Changing offenders’ behaviour through robust change programmes is one way we can do this. We know that one in four perpetrators of domestic abuse are repeat offenders. Intervening early and addressing their behaviour will help to keep people from harm.”   Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “Domestic abuse is a scourge that affects every community in Essex. We arrest more people for these offences than most other police forces and will continue the strong enforcement that puts victims at the heart of everything we do. This funding will ensure help is provided to challenge and change behaviour earlier and allows us to continue to prioritise victims of domestic abuse, ensuring they are supported and safe.”