Slough Borough Council

Advice for perpetrators

`If we don't work with men to stop the violence and abuse, what hope is there for women?' Una Hamill 1998.

If you want to change your violent behaviour you can. Violence is a learned behaviour.
 
Changing Ways is a programme for men who want to change their violent and abusive behaviour towards their female partners or ex partners. 
It runs on behalf of the four local authorities, Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough and Wokingham by Lakeside, an external consultancy company.

• Open to any man aged 18 years plus, who accepts he has been violent, abusive or threatening to his partner, or ex partner, and wants to change
• Open to any man living in Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough or Wokingham
• Men may attend as part of an agreement with any agency they are already involved with, for example Social Services
• Men may refer themselves directly to the programme
• A 45 minute assessment interview is required before men are accepted onto the programme
• The programme comprises of 30 structured group sessions to help men understand their violent and abusive behaviour and learn new ways of behaving
• Sessions last two hours and take place at a location in Bracknell on a Monday evening
• The programme is NOT an anger management or counselling group. It focuses on changing attitudes and behaviours

The female partners/ex partners of any men attending Changing Ways will be contacted by Lakeside Consultants to give her information about local support as well as discussing their partner’s/ex partner’s participation in the programme.

Changing Ways believe that everyone has the right to live free from violence and the threat of violence. 

We want to support you to make the changes you need, so that you are safe around your partner/ex partner and children (if you have them). We would encourage you to think hard and face up honestly to the things you have done. You might have done some things only once or twice, but in many cases you will notice there is a pattern of abusive behaviour. By making yourself more aware of your abusive behaviours it will become easier to make changes and stop. 

Perpetrator groups are run for men as research shows that the majority of domestic abuse perpetrators are men. Run in small groups it addresses men's violent behaviour to change and develop non-abusive relationships.

Content of the programme can help men to:

• understand why they are violent
• recognise their violence
• learn how to take responsibility for their actions
• control their violence

By having perpetrator programmes the emphasis on the woman as a victim is removed.

Research has shown that men attending perpetrator programmes are significantly more likely to reduce their non violent controlling behaviour (Dobash et al 1996).

Men, if you want to stop and make a self referral, call John Roberts on 07818 054 563.

Professionals,  to refer a man you are working with, call John Roberts on 07818 054 563.

Women - to speak to someone in confidence, call Berkshire Women’s Aid on 0118 9504003, or East Berkshire Women’s Aid on 01753 549865 or  0800 085 2654.

For programmes outside Berkshire East and Wokingham you can call the Respect phoneline. It offers information and advice to domestic abuse perpetrators, their partners or ex-partners, friends and family and to frontline workers who come into contact with perpetrators in their work.

Call the Respect phoneline: 0845 122 8609. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

Or you can contact them via email or text:
Email:  phoneline@respect.uk.net
Text:  07624 818 326 (text messages only).