24 Hour Domestic Violence Help-line

Nottinghamshire Probation Service launched a new programme for those convicted of domestic violence on 05 April 2006. The Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP) aims to reduce the risk of violent crime and abusive behaviour towards women by their partners by helping offenders change their behaviour and attitudes. The Programme, which is suitable for male heterosexual offenders, consists of weekly group sessions of 2 ½ hours over a nine month period, and additional individual sessions. During Programme sessions, offenders learn how to take personal responsibility for their offence and understand how their crimes have affected their partners and children. They also learn non-abusive ways of relating to their partner. The emphasis is not just on the offender - throughout the programme the victim is helped and supported by a women’s safety worker The offenders’ progress and any risk of re-offending can be monitored closely as offenders sign a contract and accept that information will be shared with the Police, Social Services and other appropriate agencies. Offenders who do not comply with their order – for instance, those who miss a session or commit a further offence - are returned to court and could face a prison sentence. Jane Geraghty, Chair of Nottinghamshire Criminal Justice Board says: “This important new programme will help to break the vicious cycle of domestic violence which blights the lives of victims and their children. By tackling the root causes of this type of behaviour, we can reduce future re-offending and enable female partners and children to live a life free from fear.”