Research undertaken by Dobash, Dobash, Cavannagh and Lewis (1996) highlighted that a "significant proportion of the offenders who participated in the men's programme reduced their violence and associated controlling behaviour and their female partners reported significant  improvements in the quality  of their lives and their relationships with these men".

New Directions Perpetrators Programme

The New Directions perpetrators programme involves 26 week group work sessions designed to help the person to understand why they have used abusive behaviour, how they can change this, and how they can work towards constructing respectful relationships.

The New Directions programme is specifically designed to address domestic violence and is not a traditional anger management course. There will be separate programmes run for male and female perpetrators.

• The New Directions perpetrators programme aims to:Increase (ex) partner’s and their children’s safety.
• Provide educational sessions that define violence or abuse as an intentional act to maintain power and control over their (ex) partner.
• Challenge participant’s to take responsibility for their actions rather than blaming their (ex) partners or outside influences.
• Help change the attitudes and beliefs which support abusive or violent behaviour.
• Work towards relationships based on mutual trust and respect.

The approach adopted by the programme can be broadly described as cognitive behavioural in that it starts from the individual’s own understanding of their behaviour and helps them to look at it from an alternative perspective.  Emphasis is on identifying and challenging attitudes, beliefs, socialisation, and promoting positive relationships as well as addressing and coping with life events.

New Directions is a voluntary programme that is open to anyone aged 18 years and over who does not habitually use drugs or alcohol and identifies that they have a problem with their abusive or violent behaviour and is able to take responsibility for their action. Individuals may be referred to us by agencies or may self refer. Anyone referred to New Directions will be asked to attend an individual assessment that establishes whether they will benefit from the group programme, their motivation and suitability.

On-going Support

Participants who have completed the 26 week group work programme will be offered on-going support. This will provide a forum to maintain the changes they have made and encourage non-abusive and respectful behaviour.

For more information regarding the perpetrators programme contact:

New Directions on 01282 661806

What is Available for (ex) Partners?

Participants (ex) partners will be offered:

• A separate confidential support service to meet their individual needs.
• Information on the (ex) partner’s acceptance on to the perpetrators programme.
• Information regarding the content of the programme.
• An opportunity to discuss their partner’s progress on the programme.
• Information to dispel any unrealistic expectations of their (ex) partner’s changing as a result of their attendance on the programme.
• Strategies to maximise their safety and their children’s safety.

For more information regarding services available for (ex) partners contact:

Pendle Domestic Violence Initiative on 01282 726001