An independent evaluation of Society Without Abuse (SWA)’s innovative behaviour change programme, Open2Change, has recognised its unique impact in reducing abusive behaviours and improving participants’ overall wellbeing. The findings show its potential to be a key tool in breaking the cycle of abuse, which is an important step in one day seeing an end to domestic abuse.
Open2Change is a specialist one-to-one programme for those who use harmful behaviour and works with them to identify the reasons why they do it and help them learn alternative ways of managing their behaviour. As well as working closely with police in custody suites and probation services, the Open2Change team works closely with SWA colleagues supporting victims and children to ensure an integrated, whole family approach.
Last year, the University of Worcester commenced an initial evaluation of the programme, led by the Senior Lecturer for Criminology within the department of Community, Social Justice and Health, Dr Beverley Gilbert, together with colleagues Amy Johnson and Dr Mikahil Azad. Dr Gilbert is an internationally renowned expert in domestic abuse, having spent 30 years working as a police officer and probation officer, including specialising as a Detective Family Protection Officer and in the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme.
The final report highlighted the significant and sustained improvements in participants’ wellbeing as a direct result of participation in the programme, and the resulting impact on their ability to reduce conflict and abuse within their relationships, both intimate and in wider community life.
Dr Gilbert said: “Open2Change offers something so valuable in communities; working one-to-one to address the root cause of domestic abuse as well as protecting the victims. It’s uniquely positioned to contribute to more flexible, culturally responsive interventions in both community and custodial contexts.
“One size fits all does not work when working with prevention of abuse, it has to be bespoke to the individual and this one-to-one approach achieves that. There’s a gap in support for people who want to change but don’t have anywhere to go for help to unpick the harm and make changes. Open2Change allows people to do this and address the whole self, including wider aspects too such as mental health, finances, addiction and housing issues.”
Louisa Wrighton, Open2Change Manager, added: “If we are to one day see a society where abuse doesn’t exist, then we need an integrated, whole family approach that doesn’t just support victims but tackles the behaviour at the root cause of the abuse. Right from the start of the programme five years ago we saw the changes people could make in their behaviour and the knock-on effect on their victims but we felt it was important to have an evidence-based approach so asked the experts at University of Worcester to formally review.
“The Open2Change programme is forever developing and we continue to make changes according to the needs of our clients and team. This evaluation has not only confirmed that what we are doing is contributing to the prevention of domestic abuse but also changing lives for the better. It’s given us a direction and focus to continue improving the programme so that we can continue widening our reach and the potential to put an end to domestic abuse.”
The full evaluation is available at www.societywithoutabuse.org.uk/service/open2change. To find out more about SWA and Open2Change, visit www.societywithoutabuse.org.uk/
If you need advice for yourself or a friend relating to Domestic Abuse, call Swindon’s domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
Article from Vox PR and Marketing
