Domestic abuse perpetrators in Lancashire will be given the chance to enroll on a free mentoring programme to help them take responsibility for their behaviour.
The innovative ‘wake up’ scheme has been commissioned by the Safer Preston partnership and will see specialist trainers help participants to develop an understanding of the underlying issues which may trigger domestic abuse.
Det Insp Jonathan Holmes from Preston Police’s Public Protection Unit said: “Domestic abuse can devastate families and relationships and we are keen to work with individuals who use such violence to help them manage their behaviour in the future.
“The programme has been developed in partnership with other agencies, allowing a joined-up approach to tackling the issue and an integrated service to be delivered, which we hope will ultimately result in a reduction in offences.
“I would encourage those who think they may benefit from the course to call for more information. Only by taking responsibility for their behaviour can these individuals stop the harm that they cause to people around them.”
The programme has been developed by local company Juicy Training in conjunction with Preston Police and Preston Domestic Violence Services.
It has been launched in Preston on Wednesday and is running as a pilot before it will be subject to an independent evaluation.
Since the beginning of January, there have been 2,602 reports of domestic related incidents in Preston. This compares to 2,550 for the same period in 2009*.
Councillor Neil Cartwright, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “This is a positive and proactive approach to tackling domestic violence. We hope it will help make people more aware of their own behaviour and actions and reduce the impact of domestic violence in Preston.”
The programme is suitable for individuals who have concerns about their behaviour towards a partner, ex-partner or family member and have committed a domestic abuse offence but have no previous convictions.
It is aimed at men and consists of six sessions each lasting three and a half hours each. It is run at evenings and weekends and is delivered at a local venue which is easily accessible.
As part of the programme, individual action plans are developed with participants to help them manage their behaviour.
Valerie Wise, Chief Executive of Preston Domestic Violence Services, said: “I welcome this new service. We will be working to provide support to the partners of participants on the programme.”
For more information, call 01772 713614 or text ‘wakeup’ to 81400.
Alternatively visit www.juicytraining.com for further details. Victims of domestic abuse can call 01772 201601 for support from Preston Domestic Violence Services.
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