We know that often men are worried about the impact of their abusive behaviour on their female partner or ex-partners, but that it can be difficult to get help to stop behaving this way. We also know that although there is limited evidence to suggest that group domestic violence prevention programmes work, there is not enough evidence to make sure that local councils will fund these programmes. We
want to test these programmes, so we can see if they really do help men and improve safety for their partners, ex-partners, and for children
Who is eligible to take part in the study? We want to recruit men who are:
• Aged 21 or over;
• Who are worried that their own behaviour inrelationships with women might be violent or abusive;
• Who can understand English well enoughto take part in a group programme. Who live in Bristol/North Somerset/South Gloucestershire; Wiltshire; Somerset; Gwent. If you don’t meet these criteria, but would like to help us in this study, we still would like to talk to you about how best to support men in stopping abusive behaviour. Domestic abuse can involve a pattern of behaviours, including:
• Physically hurting or threatening to hurt yourpartner
• Pushing or shoving your partner
•Frightening or intimidating your partner
•Jealous behaviour and checking up on yourpartner
•Controlling or pressuring them into doingwhat you want, not what they want
•Calling your partner names, humiliating themor swearing at them
•Punching walls, or throwing things, ordamaging property
•Insisting on sex, when you know your partnerdoesn’t want to
•Restraining your partner or stopping themfrom going out
•Upsetting or scaring your children
•Hurting or threatening to harm pets to makeyour partner or children do what you want. The Department of Health and Social Care is funding this study through the National Institute for Health Research. The research is carried out by a team of experienced researchers who are based at the University of Bristol. Is this study well-designed and ethical? An independent group, a Research Ethics Committee which included healthcare professionals and members of the public, assessed whether the study sufficiently protects participants’ safety, rights, wellbeing and dignity. This study has been approved by Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
Our partners in the research include:
Respect: https://www.respect.uk.net/
Splitz Support Service: https://www.splitz.org/
Phoenix Domestic Abuse Services: https://phoenixdas.co.uk/
Barnardo's: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/
Next Link: https://nextlinkhousing.co.uk/
