Efforts to reduce domestic abuse across Derbyshire, and Derby, have received a funding boost of nearly £660,000. 

The additional funding from the Home Office will be used for a series of domestic abuse intervention projects aimed at stopping perpetrators from inflicting further harm, providing greater protection to their partners and families.

It will also provide increased support for young people at risk of becoming future abusers and fund intervention work with adolescent perpetrators and their families.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster, who secured the funding, said: "Protecting victims and families from the threat of domestic abuse in Derbyshire is a top priority and I am determined to secure as much funding as possible to achieve this and put in place the right measures locally.

"We are all aware of the dreadful impact violence and abuse has on the lives of its victims and I intend to work hard to provide the right support for all those who need it. I expect this funding to deliver positive outcomes and reduce the threat of harm for those at risk of domestic abuse.

"In order to reduce the number of victims, we need to look at a number of possible interventions including effective prevention, which will aim at tackling the underlying causes of domestic abuse. Action must be taken so that young people exposed to violence in the home do not repeat the cycle. Rapid intervention is necessary in situations where abusive behaviour is already apparent."

The funding will enable the support and intervention projects delivered through local specialists to be expanded. This will also provide a greater understanding of the behaviours that drive abuse and help to identify the most successful strategies to tackle these problems.

Six projects will be delivered between now and 31 July 2022 through local providers.

Intervention will include one-to-one and group therapy, educational intervention, family work and community-based activity.

Domestic abuse support charity Salcare will lead a community-based early intervention project working with male perpetrators as well as children and young people who have experienced violence in the home and are showing early signs of using violence in their lives. Perpetrators will benefit from support to change their behaviour while victims will benefit from the integrated partner support service, increasing their self-confidence and self-esteem.

The grant will also fund the ABC project, run by The Elm Foundation, to increase the safety and wellbeing of victims and their children by delivering effective interventions with perpetrators, holding them to account for their behaviour, assessing and managing risk and promoting respectful relationships.

Charity Remedi will be working restoratively with young people affected by domestic abuse to deliver the following:

• Cease Intervention Programme - A four session, one-to-one programme for young people aged 13-17 who are displaying controlling or coercive behaviours within their relationships (intimate or parent/carer). The programme supports young people to recognise abusive behaviours and understand the concept of choice and responsibility within a relationship. 
• Cease Education Programme - A four session group educational programme to build awareness and understanding of Domestic Abuse among young people generally.
• Together Families Programme - A programme which works intensively with the whole family over a 12-week period where a young person is displaying controlling/coercive behaviours towards parents, carers or siblings. The Remedi Together Families programme supports families to reduce the frequency and impact of abuse within the family home.

Nationally, the Home Office has awarded £11.3 million to 25 Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales to fund domestic abuse intervention programmes.   

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