Using our experience of working with male and female, victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse to answer questions raised by the trial.

Research indicates that only 1% of perpetrators receive an intervention in the UK to address their abusive behaviour. In this post we look a

2022 sees the launch of DV-ACTs new programme for mothers. Ground-breaking in the domestic abuse sector this programme uses bespoke treatmen

2022 sees the launch of a new division of DV-ACT to deliver bespoke specialist treatment programmes for parents in child protection measures. Launching DV-ACTION Programmes DV-ACT experts have used their decades of experience to develop the UK's first bespoke domestic abuse programmes delivered remotely for parents in child protection measures. Our programmes are designed to support effective change in parents particularly where there are complex needs, this is how: A child-c

What factors could have led to the tragic death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and what are the risks facing children since the pandmeic.

Each year there is a reported spike in domestic violence with fears that this year will be further impacted by the pandemic

Digital delivery has proved to remove some barriers to participation with DV-ACT's vulnerability programme showing record completion rates.

Many victims of violence fight back and abused women are no exception. In this post, we discuss the use of violent resistance by victims of domestic violence, how to distinguish between violent resistance and violence from a primary abuser and how this can raise the risk to the victim and her children. Many victims of domestic abuse do fight back The narrative most often associated with victim/survivors of domestic abuse is one of passivity. However, many women show great str

DV-ACT was saddened to hear that a social worker was attacked along with police officers while undertaking a welfare check in Haringey. In this post we discuss the importance of welfare checks for domestic abuse victims and children with key insight from our expert social workers on how to keep safe. On August 6th a social worker in Haringey London was stabbed while trying to 'defuse a situation' involving 2 young children. While we are pleased to hear that the social worker

The recent care review of children's services has highlighted the need for more supportive interventions for families. This post will give advice to social workers on how families can be supported at an early intervention stage when domestic violence and abuse is present in the family home. Supporting families living with domestic abuse The recently published "Case for Change" care review (July 2021) identified a number of priorities for improving the children’s social care s

Recent surveys indicate that children have experienced greater abuse during lockdowns. This post is designed to provide social workers with child-focused guidance for risk management and safety planning in domestic abuse cases. Protecting children post lockdown Early research into the effects of the pandemic on domestic abuse is showing that restrictions used to minimise the spread of the virus have reinforced environments that aid the behaviours that abusers use against thei

Find out more about the remote one to one treatment programme DV-ACT experts deliver for perpetrators who are unable to attend a group work programme. Completing a perpetrator programme remotely Domestic abuse perpetrator programmes (DAPP's) are structured programmes of work that give perpetrators the opportunity to change their behaviours towards their past/present intimate partner. In the past DAPPs in the UK generally took place in a groupwork face to face setting, however

In this post, we discuss the Duluth Model's Power and Control Wheel and how it can be used in domestic abuse practice. The Power and Control Wheel The Power and Control Wheel was developed in the 1980's by the American Domestic Abuse Intervention Project and, as an early example of trauma-informed practice, used focus groups of female victims/survivors to compile a list of the types of abuse most commonly used against them. Nobody understands the reality of being abused by a

It is increasingly acknowledged that children are often trapped in the perpetrators' regimes of coercive control and suffer the same harmful effects as those living with physical abuse. This post will examine how this type of abuse affects children and the implications for child contact and safety planning. Coercive control and the effects on children Early research into the effects of the pandemic on domestic abuse is showing that restrictions used to minimise the spread of

Domestic abuse is a major concern for those working with families in the aftermath of the pandemic and professionals have reported being increasingly worried that they do not know how to deal with domestic abuse effectively. In response, we have put together this post with top tips from our experts in assessment and treatment to help guide practice with families. Top Tips for Working with Families and domestic abuse Early research into the effects of the pandemic on domestic

For those families living in a home where coercive controlling behaviours are being used, it is important that a safety plan is in place that will specifically address this type of abuse. This post is designed to provide social workers with guidance for completing risk management and safety planning with families where coercive controlling behaviours are a feature. 95% of survivors experienced coercive controlling behaviours Coercive control, is a criminal offence in the UK a

Research is emerging that coronavirus measures have fostered an environment where perpetrators use of coercive controlling behaviour has flourished. This post will examine how this type of abuse can be recognised, the effects this has on children and the implications for child contact and safety planning. Coercive control flourishing in the pandemic Early research into the effects of the pandemic on domestic abuse is showing that restrictions used to minimise the spread of th

This post will explain what perpetrator programmes are and their effectiveness at reducing domestic violence and abuse. Domestic abuse practice in the UK has primarily focused on the protection and support of women and children, with domestic abuse perpetrator programmes (known as DAPPs in the UK) working quietly in the background. Domestic abuse differs to other crimes in that it rarely consists of one incident, it is an ongoing and often repeated crime with the average vict

The practical barriers women face when leaving an abusive partner are widely recognised, but the emotional attachment a woman may have to her abuser is often misunderstood or overlooked. This post will explain how vulnerable Mothers can be supported to break a distorted attachment to an abuser. Supporting vulnerable mother's Early attachment theory proposed that attachment behaviors in infants, such as crying and searching, were responses to separation from a primary attachme

In this post, we discuss the prevalence of post-separation abuse and how the Duluth Model's Post Separation Wheel can be used in domestic abuse practice. We also provide advice for those struggling with this type of abuse. It is not always the case that leaving an abusive partner will increase a woman’s safety and research has established that, in many cases, domestic abuse from an intimate partner does not end upon separation. Post-separation can actually see an escalation o