30 July 2010Local reporters have a unique chance to find out more about one of the most under reported and serious crimes in the District next week.
Recently released figures for Sevenoaks District show that over a quarter of all victims of domestic abuse, in the period from April to September, were repeat victims.
On Tuesday afternoon (27 November) reporters can visit the West Kent Community Domestic Abuse Programme (CDAP) and have the exclusive opportunity to interview the project manager and a participant on the programme to understand how it works and how valuable it is to the District.
The participant who is making himself available to speak with reporters was arrested after being abusive towards his partner and was required to attend the programme as part of his probation order. He started in July and has now completed seven of the nine modules. He is keen to discuss his experiences and how the course has changed his behaviour towards his partner.
The CDAP is designed to help men who feel their behaviour towards their partners has been, or still is abusive, to challenge their behaviour and to see how it is affecting their partner or ex-partner and any children who are involved.
It is a rolling programme that lasts 27 weeks and is made up of nine modules, with each module having three sessions. Sessions are held once a week at the Wealden Centre in Tonbridge and last for two and a half hours.
The group who attend the programme, which is completely free, is a mixture of men who are on probations orders and those who have been referred by their GPs or Social Services. Men can also self-refer.
The programme is funded by the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership.
For more details about CDAP contact the programme manager, Penny Hennessey, by calling 07933 359210 or by e-mailing penny.hennessey@kent.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Cllr Keith Loney, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for community safety, says: "Domestic abuse is a very serious crime that is not often discussed in a public forum. It is something that happens behind closed doors and can have devastating effects on the victim. Research has shown that domestic abuse programmes, like this one, can help men stop physical violence and reduce abusive and controlling behaviour."
The event forms part of Community Safety Week during which the Community Safety Partnership is highlighting the many projects that through funding from the Partnership has made a difference to residents across the District. This event is one in a series of opportunities for the media to find out more about the work taking place in the District to reduce crime and the fear of crime and strengthen communities.
The Partnership brings together all of the agencies in the District who can have an affect on crime and includes Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council, Kent County Council, Kent Fire & Rescue Service, West Kent Primary Care Trust, Voluntary Sector, Kent Drug & Alcohol Action Team, West Kent Housing, Moat Housing, Kent Youth Offending Team and the Probation Service.
