|
CHANGE
2000-2001 ANNUAL REPORT Convenor’s Report On behalf of the CHANGE Management Board I am pleased to introduce our eleventh Annual Report. CHANGE has now completed the second year of a three-year National Training Initiative in relation to working with violent men. This is being funded with a grant from the Scottish Executive under Section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act (1968). During the last two years, CHANGE’s Director, Monica Wilson assisted by our Administrator, Susan Peebles, has contacted all Scottish local authorities and is well into the process of providing planning meetings, awareness raising days and intensive training courses. It is apparent that because of the funding terms and the high demand for consultancy and training, CHANGE will require longer than the current funding period to implement the Initiative, and we are in the process of applying for an extension of funding. Once again, the Management Board would like to thank Monica and Susan for their commitment and hard work during the last year.
Sue McDougall Background Introduction CHANGE was originally funded from 1989 to 1996 by the Urban Programme and sponsored by the Social Work Department of Central Regional Council primarily to pilot the development of a criminal justice based re-education programme for men convicted of violence towards their wives or female partners. The programme was formally evaluated alongside the work of Edinburgh’s programme, the DVPP, and an important finding for the future was that: ‘a significant proportion of the offenders who participated in the men’s programmes reduced their violence and associated controlling behaviour and their women partners reported significant improvements in the quality of their lives and their relationships with these men.’ [1] Before Urban funding ceased CHANGE produced a Training Manual documenting the experience and materials developed for use in the men’s programme so that they might be preserved, developed and disseminated among other professionals. This was published in 1997. [2] Subsequently CHANGE sought to identify how best to disseminate more widely the knowledge and experience learned from this pilot project. This process would also seek to retain the integrity and credibility of the work done by CHANGE and to take account of the on-going necessity for accountability to women, to sentencers and to other professionals and the community. In May 1998 CHANGE submitted a Business Plan to the Scottish Office Social Work Services Inspectorate (SWSI). In October 1998 we received confirmation that a grant had been allocated under Section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act (1968), to assist in the development of a National Training Initiative in relation to working with violent men. Funding to implement the Initiative was applied for and granted over a three-year period commencing in April 1999, but the sum granted was half that sought in the application. Staff CHANGE currently has two members of staff: a Director, Monica Wilson and an Administrator, Susan Peebles. Both posts are part-time at present. Management CHANGE is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Staff are responsible to a management board comprising individuals from a variety of professional and other backgrounds who are concerned to achieve the goals of CHANGE. The board meets every four weeks and both the Director and the Administrator present written reports. A list of board members is appended. Section 9 funded National Training Initiative Aims For the Initiative, CHANGE offers training and consultancy to Criminal Justice Service staff and partner agencies to promote effective practice in implementing and managing criminal justice based re-education programmes for men convicted of violence towards their wives or female partners. The goal of the training is to help equip local authority staff to tackle the violent behaviour of male domestic violence offenders. This involves working either in structured group-work programmes or on individual basis with offenders on probation. This crucially includes training in setting up related services for the women partners of the men. Objectives The programme of consultancy and training takes the following format: Stage 1 Initial meetings are held with Social Work Criminal Justice Managers and relevant partner agencies (e.g. local domestic violence fora, Women’s Aid, etc.), to look at local needs and to plan training and monitoring provision. These meetings are being held at local level either for individual local authorities or in collaborative partnerships with neighbouring authorities. Over the year 2000-2001, eight (8) regional planning meetings/seminars covering ten local authority areas have been held as follows:-
Figure 1 - Planning meetings held in 2000 - 2001
Stage 2 Stage two consists of the provision of one-day awareness-raising workshops for relevant staff for up to 20 participants at a time. The CHANGE workshops focus on challenging myths about abusers and aim to increase understanding about, and ability to challenge, men’s abusive attitudes and behaviour. Where possible, these are being undertaken in partnership with local Women’s Aid groups. Their awareness-raising days focus on how women experience domestic violence and agencies’ responses. Both these workshops are open to participants from as wide a range of agencies as possible. Eight awareness-raising days have been held in the period covered by this report for eight local authorities, bringing the total number of such days undertaken for the National Initiative to date to 23. This covers eighteen local authorities or 58% of the total.
Areas where awareness raising days were held in 2000 – 2001:
Figure 2 Awareness days held in 2000 – 2001
The following chart illustrates how participants evaluated the quality of the awareness training. Illustrative comments follow.
Sample of qualitiative responses: Q. How will today’s workshop influence how I do my job? "Better understanding of feelings and emotions experience by perpetrators/victims." "Will prevent me from judging women who are forced to stay in violent relationships." "It will be very helpful in the work I do with children and families in that it has given me a better perspective on the impact of domestic violence. It has given me a greater understanding of issues surrounding domestic violence." "I feel I will be better able to question and challenge reasons/excuses for behaviour and have a greater understanding of the role of cultural values." "It has given me a better understanding of domestic abuse and made me think more about the pattern of behaviour rather than the incident of violence. I believe this will help me challenge men’s perceptions of violent incidents." "It has given me greater insight into men’s use of violence against their partners. This knowledge will help me to focus my own intervention on relevant issues, and help me challenge men more."
Q. Have I identified further training needs? "Perhaps more training in counselling approaches." "Yes, how to enable people to confide about abusive relationships or enable someone to disclose. How to keep self safe." "I feel that training such as this should be compulsory for members of the primary health care team – e.g. G.P.’s. Also I have a colleague who feels no need to attend such training as she has no "Domestic Violence" on her caseload (Health Visitor)" Statistical summaries and verbatim transcripts of course evaluation responses are sent to local co-ordinators to inform planning of local training strategies. Stage 3 During this stage, intensive five-day courses for small numbers, (usually ten), of front-line staff focus on skills acquisition including the delivery of a men’s programme and the provision of services to women partners. This level of training includes:
Six in-depth training courses have been undertaken for three local authorities, bringing the total to date to eight courses for seven local authorities: 23% of the total. Authorities covered this year:
Figure 3 – Skills training courses
The following chart illustrates how participants evaluated the quality of the skills training. Illustrative comments follow.
Quality
audit of training in the delivery of the CHANGE men’s programme Sample of typical responses from the forty-nine questionnaires collected: 1. What did you expect from the training? "Expected to learn in more detail about the CHANGE Programme and about issues of domestic violence. Also how to run a training programme." Understanding of working with violent men – techniques used and resources available. I also wanted to challenge my own views." "To become able to engage perpetrators of domestic violence in an effective and purposeful way." "Knowledge, skills necessary to undertake work with domestic violence offenders."
2. Did the training live up to your expectations? "Yes. 1) Lots of useful constructs which could be used in 1-1 work as well as group work. 2) Learned a lot about the theories underpinning the (a) work (b) motives and perspectives of the men." "Yes – excellent course from start to finish. I found it quite emotive at times and this helped me look at my views. The course gave me skills and resources." "Yes – exceeded them!" "Yes. It surpassed my expectations and was an excellent, well thought out and planned training. Could we please have our own manuals?" "I think the training was excellent – delivery was excellent, content was excellent, and concrete advice and guidance about how to run men’s programme." "Yes. Without doubt the most competent and inspiring delivery that I have had as training since qualifying 10 years ago." 4. Learning: a) What are the main things I have learned on this course: - about men’s violence to women? "How entrenched the behaviour is and how long it takes to change the patterns which are in place." "That it is a very complex issue and perpetrators need a lengthy programme of learning if any change in their future behaviour is to benefit them and their partners." "How awesome it must be for some women concerned as well as the physical pain and overwhelming anxiety and fear."
- about myself? "That I can be abusive in some situations. The importance of language. Reminder that it is important to look at ourselves before asking clients to do so." "I have moved on from years of being unable to think about work with violent men to someone who is quite positive about how to effect ‘change’." "I still can be sexist – must guard against this." "As a man I have been part of the reinforcement of these values about women."
b) Do I feel ready to facilitate a men’s programme? "Yes – previous groupwork experience plus knowledge gained during training." "No – I need more preparation at this time but would be happy to do so in the future." "With preparation time, a co-facilitator I can work with and space from workload, Yes." c) What further training do I feel I need? "Perhaps more on co-working with identified co-workers plus with colleagues from different services. Possibility of forum with other workers involved in this area of work?" "Need time to do a lot more reading on the subject. I also need to get back into group-work so that I gain more experience (up to date) as a facilitator." "Refresher course later on." "Nothing specific but it would be nice to contact CHANGE to get advice if problems arose. Once a group has been planned more training needs may become clear." "Training on victim advocacy." "Follow up course at a later date and access to other practitioners to discuss practice issues." "I think it would be useful to meet up again with Monica after first group run to help with any difficulties experienced." 5. Comments: a) What would have improved the training for me? "Given time and space from day to day workload." "More time. Less outside pressure." "Better physical environment – better room provided." b) General comments "I have thoroughly enjoyed the training and hope that as workers we are given support and encouragement to set up a programme. My own personal and professional awareness has been raised through the issues raised. A very high standard - structured, informative and thought-provoking training. Thank you." "Excellent training – should be done with our workers as an awareness to their own prejudices and control. Thank you." "Great course. Very enjoyable." "I would recommend this course and the trainer." "One of the better training courses I have attended since qualifying as a Social Worker." "Excellent training course. More people should have the opportunity to go on it." "A delight to have the opportunity for in-depth training as opposed to the usual one day awareness days - presented by professional, competent independent trainer." "The training has been intense, hard work, thought provoking and very beneficial. My thanks to Monica for making the five days so worthwhile." "One of the best training programmes I have ever had." Training and consultancy outside Scotland Vienna Men’s Programme Following email correspondence with Dr Heinrick Kraus, a Psychotherapist from Vienna involved in developing a men’s programme for the city, he visited CHANGE for two days in April 2000 for intense consultation about organisation and practice issues. The programme being set up in Vienna involves a multi-agency approach in liaison with the women’s shelter and they intend to draw heavily on CHANGE’s material. North East London Probation Service (NELPS) Brian Riley, the Victim/Domestic Violence Manager of NELPS, has long expressed interest in adopting the CHANGE model locally. After phone discussion and correspondence he visited CHANGE for a day’s consultation 19 October 2000. Since then matters have been put on hold as the English Probation Services await Home Office guidance on developing perpetrator programmes. West Yorkshire Probation Service On 7th and 8th of December 2000 David Morran joined Monica Wilson to undertake a two-day training event for thirteen members of the West Yorkshire Probation Service and their partner agencies. The training was well received and may lead to further input at a later date. Grampian Police On 25th January 2001 CHANGE contributed a session to a five-day training course in domestic violence being run by the Grampian Police for police and social work domestic violence liaison staff. Feedback was positive. States of Jersey Since 1997 CHANGE has been undertaking consultancy and training for the Network to Prevent Violence and Abuse in the Home, a multi-agency forum in the States of Jersey. This has involved advising on organisational issues; assisting in short-listing, interviewing and selection of candidates; and intensive training in programme facilitation for staff. Following this initial input a CHANGE men’s programme has been operating in St Helier taking court referred men. In February 2001 CHANGE ran a further five-day course for new groupwork facilitators and continues to offer consultancy to the service.
Contributions to other forums Action for Change CHANGE now has representation on the Action for Change forum in Stirling. This is the multi-agency body charged with implementing the Domestic Abuse strategy for the council. Men and Health David Morran represented CHANGE at the Men & Health Conference held in Celtic Park on 15 September 2000. Scottish Strategy on Domestic Abuse CHANGE staff were invited to participate in a one-day conference at the Scottish Executive on 13th February 2001, when Jackie Baillie, Minister for Social Justice, launched the National Strategy to address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. CHANGE hopes for further involvement in developing those aspects of the Strategy which relate to working with perpetrators. Practitioners’ Network and RESPECT National Practitioners’ Network The National Practitioners’ Network (NPN), has been meeting every six months since 1992. The Network is an informal forum for individuals and agencies working with perpetrators of domestic abuse and related women’s services. It has no formal membership and no one is in charge. Agencies take turns to host meetings around the country and meetings provide opportunities to meet and discuss common issues, to subject practice to peer scrutiny, to offer guidance to newcomers and for practitioners to give each other support. The two Network meetings this year have been hosted by ‘ignition Theatre Projects’ in Cardiff in May 2000 and by Merseyside Probation in November 2000. RESPECT
CHANGE is a founder member of RESPECT and the Director is currently its vice-chair. RESPECT is the National Association for Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes and Associated Support Services. It was formally constituted in February 2000 and officially launched at the House of Commons on 7 March 2001. RESPECT aims to work alongside all interested groups - Projects, Government Departments, Women's Aid, NPN members, Social Work Services, etc - to create a system of intervention work with perpetrators which works in the best interests of women and children who have experienced domestic violence. Further information about RESPECT can be found on our website. CHANGE Website The initial development of the CHANGE website was completed in September 2000 although it will require periodic updating. The domain name is www.changeweb.org.uk. It has already generated many enquiries as well as being a useful resource informing interested people about our work. Future Plans Because of the funding terms and the high demand for consultancy and training, CHANGE will require longer than the current funding period to implement the National Training Initiative. In 2001 – 2002 CHANGE will be submitting an application for an extension of Section 9 funding to take the Initiative up to 2005. The board continues to consider areas for the future development of the organisation.
[1](Dobash, R.E., Dobash, R. P., Cavanagh, K., & Lewis, R. (1996), Research Evaluation of Programmes for Violent Men, The Scottish Office Central Research Unit, Edinburgh, p i
[2]Morran, D., & Wilson, M., (1997) Men Who Are Violent To Women , Russell House, Dorset.
|
