We know it is a difficult and worrying time for everyone – but particularly so for adults and children living with domestic abuse.
It is important to remember that there is help and support available.
DA Programmes Currently Facilitated by Children’s Centres
Freedom
The Freedom Programme examines the roles played by attitudes and beliefs on the actions of abusive men and the responses of victims and survivors. The aim is to help women to make sense of and understand what has happened to them.
The programme lasts for either 10 weeks or a shorter 6/7 week is currently being introduced The sessions are 1.5 – 2 hours and each week focuses on a different abusive persona/ tactic, such as The Bully, The Headworker or the Jailer, and goes through the tactics they use, beliefs that cause these behaviours and how they affect us
The Freedom Programme also describes in detail how children are affected by being exposed to this kind of abuse and very importantly how their lives are improved when the abuse is removed.
There are also sessions and discussions on warning signs and the behaviour of a good, non-abusive partner.
Hope2Recovery
Hope2Recovery Programme is a gender neutral Domestic Abuse programme which can be used to support anyone who is still in, or has recently left an abusive relationship. The adult only programme helps participants understand how their negative and distorted thought processes are a result of their experiences of coercive control and other aspects of domestic abuse. It also provides participants with techniques to challenge their negative thought processes, enabling them to develop self-confidence and assertiveness, which supports their integration back into society and exploring their full potential.
Topics covered in the 6 week online or in room programme are:
- What is abuse?
- The impact of abuse on the family
- The effects of abuse on children and parenting skills
- How to develop positive relationships with your children post abuse
- Healthy relationships
- Action planning towards abuse free lives
- Vicarious Trauma
Additional Support in Bristol
Next Link domestic abuse help line: 0117 925 0680
Open 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
https://www.facebook.com/nextlinkhousing/
Victim Support help line: Call 0300 3031972 OR text 07432 504692
Open Monday’s Wednesday’s and Friday’s 9:30am – 5:30pm and Tuesday’s or Thursday’s 11am – 7pm.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline Call:0808 2000 247
If you are in contact with a Childrens Centre Family Support Worker you can talk in confidence to them and they can offer advice on who best to talk to for further support and safety planning.
If you would like to speak to someone from the South Bristol Childrens Centre please call: 0779595262, Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm.
If you are in immediate danger Please call 999 for police emergency response.
If you are calling from a mobile, you will be connected to a phone operator who will ask which service you need. If you are unable to speak, you will be transferred to the silent solution system which runs a 20 second automated message. Here you will be prompted to press 55 to be put through to the police.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay