07 October 2008What is the Community Domestic Abuse Programme?
The CDAP is a rolling programme of evening sessions. It is designed to help men who feel that their behaviour towards their partner has been, or still is abusive, to challenge their behaviour and to see how it is affecting their partner/ex-partner and children who may be involved.
Sessions are held once a week in Tonbridge and each session lasts for 2.5 hours.
We know it can be tough facing up to difficult problems. This programme is designed to support you to make the changes you need to develop respectful, non-abusive relationships so that you are safe around your partner and any children.
How long is the Programme?
The programme lasts for 27 weeks. It is expected that once you are accepted onto the programme, you will attend all of the sessions.
Does it cost anything?
No, this programme is free.
How can you access it?
The first step is to decide if you want to change your behaviour. After that you can contact us and we will offer you an assessment interview to make sure that you are suitable to attend the programme. To be accepted, you must fulfil the following criteria:
• You acknowledge your abusive behaviour
• You accept that your behaviour is a problem.
• You accept responsibility for ending your abusive behaviour towards your partner/expartner.
• You agree to the conditions of attendance
• The programme supports the safety of women and children involved by offering associated services for them alongside your programme.
One of the conditions of attendance is therefore that you give contact details for your partner/ex-partner.
Does it change abusive behaviour?
The programme cannot ‘cure’ abusive behaviour or guarantee a dramatic change. Behavioural change is a long process and can still continue after the has finished. However, research has shown that, of men who complete a domestic abuse programme, some will stop their physical violence and significantly reduce their abusive and controlling
behaviour.
How does it work?
CDAP is a rolling modular programme. There are 9 modules. Each Module has 3 sessions, making 27 sessions in total. You can join in week 1 of any module (except Module 6: Sexual Respect). Throughout this programme you will be looking at various qualities
and behaviours needed in a healthy, equal relationship. Each Module is a three week process.
Modules of the programme
• Non-violence
• Non-threatening behaviour
• Respect
• Support and Trust
• Accountability and Honesty
• Sexual Respect
• Partnership
• Responsible Parenting
• Negotiation and Fairness
Why is there a Women & Children’s Service?
Any woman whose partner or ex-partner is attending the programme will have experienced
some level of violence or abuse and for most this will have been over a long time. It is extremely important that women partners and ex-partners are offered support to help
them deal with the often devastating effects of this violence. The Community Domestic Abuse Programme offers a separate and confidential support service for the women partners and expartners of the men they are working with. Your partner/ ex-partner will have the choice to be kept up to date with your progress on the programme via our Woman’s Safety Worker who will contact them at regular intervals to help
maintain a balance in the support you are all receiving. Men attending the programme will be expected to respect their partner/expartner’s need to participate.
Contact Details
If you want to find out more about the Community Domestic Abuse Programme contact:
Programme Manager
Penny Hennessey
Phone: 07933 359210
Email: penny.hennessey@probation.gsi.gov.uk
Alternatively you can write to:
Penny Hennessey Programme Manager
Ralph’s Centre Wincheap Estate
Canterbury KENT CT1 3RH
or contact
Programme Co-ordinator
St Giles Trust
Georgian House
64/68 Camberwell Church Street
London SE5 8JB
Tel: 020 7703 7000
Email: info@stgilestrust.org.uk
Website: www.stgilestrust.org.uk
CDAP is a programme operated and managed by The St Giles Trust, working with local
community safety and crime reduction partnerships.
