Nick Young Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Service (DAPS) Bracknell Forest Council

1. Nick YoungDomestic Abuse Perpetrator Service (DAPS)Bracknell Forest Council

2. About DAPS • Men only • Referrals come from CSC. Men have to be in families where child(ren) are on CP or high-end CIN • Centred around a one-to-one intervention programme

3. Theoretical underpinnings • Gender inclusive – acceptance that in Situational Couple Violence relationships the abuse may be two-way BUT… • The Perpetrator is always responsible and held accountable for his abusive behaviour AND… • There IS an extreme end of the DA spectrum - “Coercive Control” – that is more explicitly gendered. • The Perpetrator gets something out of his abusive behaviour and developing discrepancy between his actions and his core values is vital in instigating change. • In some cases, individual’s personality traits/disorders and relationship dynamics are more important in understanding and treating perpetrators than the traditional Power and Control models.

4. Domestic Violence: Relationship Pattern Types (Kelly and Johnson, 2008) 4 part typology: • Separation Instigated Violence • Situational Couple Violence • Violent Resistance • Coercive Control

5. Coercive Control • Almost completely male perp/female victim • Relationship entails range of abuse – physical, sexual, emotional, isolation • Power, control and subjugation of victim the primary motivation • Higher likelihood of severe violence/murder

6. Separation Instigated Violence • No previous abuse in relationship – violence is uncharacteristic. • Usually perpetrated by the non-initiating partner • Little use of minimisation/denial – more likely to accept responsibility/culpability • Relatively short-term phenomena – represents “temporary loss of psychological control”.

7. Situational Couple Violence • Violence/abuse is two way • Couple both have problems regulating emotions • Poor conflict resolution skills • Alcohol/substance misuse sometimes a factor • Accounts for the majority of referrals to the DAPS

8. Violent Resistance • Essentially self defence, but renamed to make it distinct from the legal concept of self defence • A reaction to Coercive Control – so usually female on male • Rarely reported to Police

9. Perpetrator Types (Holtzworth-Monroe and Stuart, 1994) • Generally Violent • Borderline/Dysphoric • Family Only

10. Generally Violent • Mod-High severity of violence • Mod-High Level of psychological and sexual abuse • High likelihood of extrafamilial violence • High likelihood of other criminal behaviour • Personality disorders tend to include anti-social PD • High likelihood of alcohol/substance misuse • Low levels of depression • Mod levels of anger

11. Borderline/Dysphoric • Mod-High severity of violence • Mod-High levels of psychological/sexual abuse • Low-med levels of extrafamilial violence • Low-med levels of other criminal behaviour • Personality disorders tend to be borderline or schizoid • High levels of depression • High levels of anger

12. Family Only • Low severity of violence (?) • Low levels of psychological and sexual abuse (?) • Low levels of extrafamilial violence • Low levels of other criminal behaviour • No personality disorder as such, possibly passive/dependent • Low levels of alcohol/drug abuse • Moderate levels of anger (?)

13. The Programme • Two phases: Engagement and Action • Engagement 5 weeks. • Action 8-10 weeks

14. Engagement sessions • Welcome – “where you’re at”. Miracle question. Gains and losses. Time Out. • Values cards exercise. Motivation to change. • Duluth wheel exercise – Power and Control. • Strengths cards exercise – confidence building. • Review gains and losses, Equality Wheel exercise. “Where does this leave you?” • Goal planning for the Action phase (if applicable) • Each session scores 1-10 expressed levels of culpability/responsibility/remorse

15. Action Modules • Incident deconstruction (patterns/triggers) • Positive and negative self-talk • I-statements • Negotiation • Active listening • Assertiveness • Anger Management • Relaxation • Empathy and Perspective taking • Managing children’s behaviour

16. Outcomes TOTAL number of men to go through the service: 46 Number of men with children on CP at the point of referral: 27 Of these 27: • 21 Men have had children removed from Child Protection Plans and placed on Child in Need plans (45 individual CPPs reduced) • 1 man had child’s case transferred out of area • 5 men had children who were on CP who subsequently became LAC

17. Outcomes continued…. Number of men with children on CIN plans at point of referral who were referred to DAPS for preventative work: 18 Of these 18: • 15 did not have their child/children’s CIN plan “escalated” to a CP plan. • 1 had children’s CIN plans discontinued but had disengaged from DAPS after only one session. • 2 men had children on CIN plans that were subsequently made subject to CP despite preventative work. Others: 1 man’s children were LAC at the point of referral and remained LAC.

18. Some nice things people have said about DAPS…. • “The part on positive thinking teaches you to think rather than just lash out.” (Perpetrator) • “I think it’s made me feel safer and more at ease. Before, I wasn’t an equal partner. I’m more equal now and more secure about myself. He pays me compliments now and is being more of an adult.” (Partner) • “If he could feel something starting, he could walk away from it and take some time out to think about it.” (Partner) • “It shows you not how to command respect, but how to develop respect. It has taught me more of an education rather than just to tell you what to do and you do it asap.” (Perpetrator)

19. Some more nice things people have said about DAPS…. • “He is more willing to listen and understand. Before, if I had a problem it would blow up into a massive argument.” (Partner) • I didn’t realise that the arguing I had with my wife which they overheard could have such an effect on them. That is another thing the programme has made me aware of and I have tried to curb that. (Perpetrator). • “We have four children and I do feel that it has made a difference to them. They are a lot happier now. They didn’t want him to be around before but now they want him here. (Partner)” • “The kids report that Dad doesn’t shout any more.” (Social Worker) • “I have been trying to find this support for ages. It was not offered to me before … it’s been amazing, it has really changed my life for the better. There is a lack of services like this which places people in a difficult position. It has just helped me so much.” (Perpetrator) • “I think it’s just really good and hope they can carry on with what they are doing as I think a lot of people could benefit from it.” (Partner)

20. Any Questions???