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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."
'Hols accountable' '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.