Police report domestic abuse intervention program reduces reoffending

According to Suffolk Police, a program offering counselling sessions has assisted domestic abuse offenders in modifying their conduct. The force stated that since the sessions commenced in 2021, over 40 individuals have participated, with 80% of them avoiding reoffending. Participants in the voluntary six-month program are required to complete at least 20 individual sessions with a caseworker specializing in behavioural change. Callum, a west Suffolk resident who completed the course, shared his experience, stating: “The best bit of advice I had was just ‘stop’, there’s nothing wrong in giving yourself a timeout.” The initiative, managed by Suffolk Police’s Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Unit (DAPU), receives funding from the government and Tim Passmore, the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner. Callum was presented with the opportunity to join the course after an arrest related to an incident involving his partner. He informed the BBC that while his conduct was not physically violent, it involved “shutting someone down, belittling someone, those kind of behaviours that build up”. Callum further mentioned that the course instilled in him “empathy and having that understanding about how other people are feeling”. David Wattley, a caseworker at the DAPU in Suffolk, explained that the program aims to assign responsibility for behavioural change to the abusers themselves. He stated: “It’s always been the onus of the victim or the survivor to make changes, to leave or flee their house, keep themselves safe, make reports to the police.” He added: “We’re trying to take that accountability and put that back on the person that’s causing the harmful behaviour.” Passmore commented: “Looking after vulnerable people – especially the victims of domestic abuse and violence – is a top priority for the constabulary.” He further noted that the DAPU is “making a real difference by helping perpetrators of this terrible crime recognise the awful effect it has on others and change their ways for the better.” Passmore concluded: “Many victims of abuse say they want the person abusing them to get help to change their behaviour and we need to listen to victims and take action, which is what we are doing here,” he added.