Strength to Change programme
Strength to Change is a voluntary, self-referral, community safety initiative, providing a domestic abuse perpetrator programme (with integrated partner support) in the Hull area. We work in a multi-agency context in Hull to help men develop skills to reduce and eliminate their abusive behaviours.
Strength to Change provides an individual/group programme for domestic abuse perpetrators and support, safety planning, advocacy and optional therapeutic support for partners and (ex-) partners of the men on the programme, as well as links to support for children.
The Strength to Change programme consists of four phases of work
Initial Assessment - up to 6 sessions of 1 hour duration to assess client suitability and motivation for the programme, and any other factors that might impact upon successful completion.
Individual Work - 10 sessions. Themes covered in individual sessions -
- Responsibility for behaviour
- Motivation to change
- Engagement - Collaborative working
- Congruency and Authenticity
- Understanding of risk concerns
- Static Risk Factors
- Variable Risk Factors
- Understanding the abuse cycle
- Cognitive distortion
- Emotional impulse regulation
- Developing insight
- Empathy
- Substance Use
- Self-Care
Group Work - A minimum of 16 weekly sessions of 2.5 hours duration, focusing on 5 primary themes -
- Intimidation and Coercion vs Respect and Negotiation
- Emotional Abuse vs Intimacy and Love
- Gender and Privilege vs Partnership and Participation
- Sexual Abuse vs Sexual Respect
- Abusive Parenting vs Responsible Parenting
These themes will be revisited and reinforced throughout the programme in addition to other themes.
Integrated Partner Support Service
The Partner Service provides information, advocacy and therapeutic support for partners/ex-partners of the men on the programme. Service provision includes safety planning work for partners and their children; raising awareness around domestic abuse; education/information about the risks of children’s exposure to domestic abuse; information sharing about perpetrator progress and authenticity. This support is optional and is not a prerequisite condition for the partner or ex-partner being able to attend the programme. The perpetrator agrees not to hinder any contact with partners or ex-partners.
Programme referral
If you want to be referred to this programme contact one of our specialist advisors on the number below.