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Violent domestic abusers to be tackled by new programme | Violent domestic abusers to be tackled by new programme |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Men who pose a high risk of domestic violence are to be given one-to-one support to change their behaviour. | Men who pose a high risk of domestic violence are to be given one-to-one support to change their behaviour. |
A new programme, known as Drive, will be aimed at the most dangerous offenders, BBC News has been told. | A new programme, known as Drive, will be aimed at the most dangerous offenders, BBC News has been told. |
Backed by domestic abuse charities SafeLives and Respect, it will be piloted in Essex, Sussex and South Wales. | Backed by domestic abuse charities SafeLives and Respect, it will be piloted in Essex, Sussex and South Wales. |
One abuse survivor said the scheme could help change the "mindset" of violent offenders. | One abuse survivor said the scheme could help change the "mindset" of violent offenders. |
Rachel Williams from Newport, who suffered 18 years of domestic violence at the hands of her late husband, Darren Williams, said: "If you don't deal with the perpetrator, who's the problem, all they'll do is go onto the next victim." | Rachel Williams from Newport, who suffered 18 years of domestic violence at the hands of her late husband, Darren Williams, said: "If you don't deal with the perpetrator, who's the problem, all they'll do is go onto the next victim." |
'Hold accountable' | |
In 2011, after Ms Williams filed for divorce, her husband burst into her hair salon armed with a sawn-off shotgun and shot her in the leg, before hanging himself in woodland. | In 2011, after Ms Williams filed for divorce, her husband burst into her hair salon armed with a sawn-off shotgun and shot her in the leg, before hanging himself in woodland. |
Six weeks later, as she was recovering in hospital, the body of her 16-year-old son, Jack, was found hanged in the same spot. | Six weeks later, as she was recovering in hospital, the body of her 16-year-old son, Jack, was found hanged in the same spot. |
Ms Williams, 44, who has since remarried, said her former husband would have benefited from the scheme. | Ms Williams, 44, who has since remarried, said her former husband would have benefited from the scheme. |
"He was a control freak and he needed his actions addressing," she said. | "He was a control freak and he needed his actions addressing," she said. |
"We've got to try and change the mindset of the perpetrator and hold them accountable for their actions." | "We've got to try and change the mindset of the perpetrator and hold them accountable for their actions." |
Although there are already a number of schemes for perpetrators of domestic violence, the Drive project is intended to be different. | Although there are already a number of schemes for perpetrators of domestic violence, the Drive project is intended to be different. |
It is aimed at dangerous offenders, including those thought to be at risk of causing serious harm or committing murder. | It is aimed at dangerous offenders, including those thought to be at risk of causing serious harm or committing murder. |
Unlike most existing schemes, which involve group work or family therapy, offenders on the Drive programme will be given bespoke one-to-one sessions. | Unlike most existing schemes, which involve group work or family therapy, offenders on the Drive programme will be given bespoke one-to-one sessions. |
They will be offered support to tackle any alcohol, drug or mental health problems they may have. | They will be offered support to tackle any alcohol, drug or mental health problems they may have. |
Advice about employment, housing and parenting will also be available. | Advice about employment, housing and parenting will also be available. |
Those who refuse to co-operate will be monitored closely by police; civil court orders and criminal sanctions will be considered to disrupt their offending behaviour. | Those who refuse to co-operate will be monitored closely by police; civil court orders and criminal sanctions will be considered to disrupt their offending behaviour. |
'Root and cause' | 'Root and cause' |
Diana Barran, chief executive officer of SafeLives, said: "Despite significant improvements for victim safety in the UK there are still 100,000 women who live with high-risk domestic abuse at any one time. | Diana Barran, chief executive officer of SafeLives, said: "Despite significant improvements for victim safety in the UK there are still 100,000 women who live with high-risk domestic abuse at any one time. |
"If you do not hold perpetrators to account, we will continue to see the statistics at a standstill. | "If you do not hold perpetrators to account, we will continue to see the statistics at a standstill. |
"Focusing on crisis management is of course vital but we want to help victims today and reduce the number of victims of tomorrow - and we can only do this by getting to the root and the cause of the problem - the perpetrator." | "Focusing on crisis management is of course vital but we want to help victims today and reduce the number of victims of tomorrow - and we can only do this by getting to the root and the cause of the problem - the perpetrator." |
It is expected that 900 offenders will be asked to take part in the scheme over the next three years. | It is expected that 900 offenders will be asked to take part in the scheme over the next three years. |
It also has support from Social Finance, a not-for-profit organisation, and is funded by police and crime commissioners in the three areas, as well as the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales and the Tudor Trust. | It also has support from Social Finance, a not-for-profit organisation, and is funded by police and crime commissioners in the three areas, as well as the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales and the Tudor Trust. |