Our work to prevent instances of domestic abuse in Derbyshire has received a massive boost, thanks to over £1m in funding from the government.
The Changes programme is delivered by a consortium of three specialist domestic abuse support providers: The Elm Foundation, Crossroads Derbyshire and Derbyshire WISH Domestic Abuse Services.
The voluntary-intervention programme assists those concerned they might be hurting, scaring or controlling their partners, and want to make changes to their behaviour. The project works with them in groups and one-to-one sessions to help them reduce their use of violence, abuse or control.
The end goal of the project is to increase safety for victims of domestic abuse and their children, to promote respectful relationships and support social change.
The new funding ensures we can continue this work for another two years, to help reduce instances of domestic abuse and put a stop to the cycle of behaviour.
Laura Graney’s NCHA’s project manager at Derbyshire WISH spoke to BBC Radio Derby about the funding:
“Without the funding, we absolutely would not have been able to afford [to continue the programme]. Without [the funding] there would not be a chance for us to reduce the fact that two women are killed every week in this country. [We need to] try to fix this problem at the root.”*
People concerned about their own behaviours can self-refer on the Changes website.
Changes is one of 50 such initiatives to be backed by £39m from the government’s Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Intervention Fund 2023/24.
*The full interview is available to hear on the BBC Sounds website (02:02:06).
