Information for people who are abusive

If you are reading these pages because you are concerned about your behaviour towards your partner, well done for taking steps to consider what you need to do to change.

Change is possible. It can take time, how much time depends on how embedded your behaviour patterns are and how motivated you are to change.

Domestic violence involves a person hurting another physically, psychological or emotionally, sexually, or financially. Over time, a climate of fear and intimidation can be created. It can be viewed as one person using their power and control over another.

If you think you may be behaving abusively, you may feel caught up in the pattern of behaviours. We hope this website can help you understand a little about yourself, what you are thinking and feeling and how this impacts on your behaviour.

Most domestic violence is exerted by men over women though women can also be abusive and abuse can take place in same sex relationships.

We encourage you to continue your efforts to change, read through the sections that you think apply to you and follow up on the contacts available so that you can talk about your concerns.

Continue to seek help and you will begin to feel better about yourself.

Respect Phoneline

Respect Phoneline is a confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and abuse towards a partner or ex-partner. A team of skilled professionals can offer advice, information and support to help you stop being violent and abusive to your partner. They will listen to you and help you.

Call Respect Phoneline on 0800 802 4040 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). It is free from landlines and most mobile phones.

For more information visit www.respectphoneline.org.uk or email info@respectphoneline.org.uk (they aim to reply within two working days).

Bradford Maze

Bradford Maze is a programme run by Survive and Thrive which works with perpetrators of abuse in order to reduce risk of future abuse.

They offer a service to all perpetrators, regardless of your gender, sexuality or age, so long as you acknowledge that you are, or have been, abusive and want to make changes, through the Bradford Maze Behaviour Change programme.

The first steps following either self-referral or referral by a professional would be an initial assessment which consists of:

A clear conversation about what the service can offer
An assessment of their willingness to choose to change their abusive behaviour
A risk assessment, which is crucial for informing an intervention going forward
An assessment for the motivation for long term engagement
Safety planning
Naming domestic abuse (rather than anger management)

What Bradford Maze offers

1-to-1 sessions

Three to six sessions are delivered for women, LGBT+, 16 to 18 year-olds, and men who have additional needs such as those with learning difficulties or where English is not the participant’s first language. 1 to 1 sessions are specifically targeted to issues identified during assessment, where this is the most appropriate intervention.

Group work

An in-depth Domestic Abuse Prevention Programme
18+ men’s groupwork programme (17 and 26 week options)
Urdu/Punjabi speaking programme men’s groupwork (26 weeks)

Eligibility

Client must acknowledge they have used abuse within an intimate relationship
Client must take responsibility for their harmful behaviour
Client must be committed to long term behaviour change
Bradford Maze will accept referrals for men and women
Client must be at least 16 years old
Client should live within the Bradford district or have a child who is a permanent resident in Bradford

Referrals can be made either by professionals or service users via the One Front Door:

Any agency wishing to make a referral can do so on the Staying Put website
If you wish to make a referral for yourself please call One Front Door on 0808 2800 999.