PROGRAMMES

The relationship skills programme RSP

Is your partner afraid of you?

Do you ask yourself if you are violent or abusive?

If you have to ask yourself this question then you probably are.

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Have you abused your partner or ex partner in any of the following ways?

Physical abuse

Hit slapped, pushed, grabbed, kicked, strangled, pulled hair

Threats or Intimation

Threats to your partner, punching walls smashing things, shout, swear at her.

Jealousy or isolating behaviour

Trying to control who she sees, checking up on her, stopping her from seeing particular friends or family.

Emotional Abuse

Criticisms, put-downs, humiliation, ignoring Using the children.

Threatening to hurt the children, take them away, putting her down in front of them.

Sexual Abuse

Forcing sex or specific acts your partner is uncomfortable with, punishing or sulking if she refuses to have sex with you.

Financial

Controlling the money, making her account for every penny.

If you have used any of these behaviour toward a partner then you are being abusive, no matter how angry you feel it is never alright to hurt or scare your partner.

If you want to stop then Deter can help you to change.

What do I do next?

You can contact Deter on the number below.

We will take your details and offer you an initial assessment.

The Women’s Support Service will contact your (ex) partner to offer her information about the programme.

All men who refer or are referred to the project are offered assessments to determine suitability for the Relationship skills Programme.

The service is free.

Initial assessment.

Our experienced staff will carry out between one and three assessment meetings to determine what changes you wish to make and whether the programme is suitable for you.

The assessment looks at your view of:

• Acknowledgement of abuse and or violence
• See violence/abuse as a problem
• Accepts some responsibility for violence/abuse
• Agree to the conditions of attendance

The Programme.

We work mainly in small groups. If you meet the eligibility criteria you would be required to attend once a week and the session would last between 2 and three hours.

Abusive behaviour is behaviour of choice and the programme incorporates cognitive and educational approaches to challenge and change abusive and violent attitudes and behaviour. Acceptance onto the programme requires a commitment to attend the 26-week programme.

Building a respectful relationship is about ending violence and abusive behaviour you use to control your partner.

Currently the programme is run in South Shields and Darlington with plans to expand our service to other areas during 2012.