Domestic Abuse, Victims and Perpetrators UK

As part of a previous role, I worked alongside many services.

This included working with families affected by Domestic Abuse.

My colleagues and I were involved in rolling out an Essex wide initiative called “J9”. We didn’t start this, we simply facilitated it.

If you’re interested in details;

WARNING this may contain details which might upset you, so please don’t read it if you feel it might “you”. I was one of the people who helped roll this out across all Jobcentres in Essex, it’s very disturbing.

alphavesta.com/services/j9-initiative/

Nothing seems to be changing much to help victims of this appalling and distressing crime.

Approx 1 women is killed every 4 days, by a partner or ex-partner.

Hundreds more are injured both physically and mentally.

Police and victim support services were given updated and specialised training BUT cuts in both community policy and victim support have led to women (and men) not receiving the support they need and deserve.

I was privileged to work inside a refuge with women, I helped them to make an immediate claim to benefits and get immediate advance, as many women flee with their children with nothing but the clothes they wear.

Charities support refuges. They supply the basics, hygiene packs for families, nappies for children, roof over their heads and three basic meals a day, cooked by those women living there.

They are places of safety, but they are not comfortable nor, in some cases, suitable.

Then we come to perpetrators!

Whilst I was working with the victims, some local schemes were set up to start to work with and understand the mindset of perpetrators, to rehabilitate, help and to somehow put together some educational resources to speak to young men, to try and prevent this abuse in future generations.

It’s my belief schemes of this type were stopped due to budgetary restraints.

I have two sons and two daughters and one step daughter.

We brought them up to respect each other, that violence is never the answer, to understand control is not love and what coercion and consent actually mean.

I wish more young men could access education of this kind. I wish we could dramatically reduce domestic abuse of every kind, directed by and to any family member.

Anyone else have thoughts on this ?