There is a way out

Domestic violence need not be a way of life for Hull men and their families

Mark Coulter (right) advises a Hull man

Do you find it hard to calmly speak to your partner or wife and deal with everyday situations without becoming verbally or physically abusive?
Is there a bad atmosphere in your home, and are your children and partner scared of you? If this describes you, and if you want to change the way you are living your life, a new service can help.

Strength to change

"Domestic violence is a massive problem in Hull but it's also a hidden one as most cases go unreported," says Mark Coulter, domestic violence prevention manager with NHS Hull and Hull Citysafe and manager of the new Strength to Change service.
"It is estimated that every year there are about 25,000 female victims in the city, which means there are many men out there who are carrying out acts of domestic violence.
"The new service is not about blaming and shaming but providing a way for men to come forward and take responsibility for their actions to ensure the safety of their partners and families.
"It takes strength to come forward and admit to having a problem. But if they do come forward, we can help."
"The reality is we can't make anyone change but we can provide support to make it happen.
It also requires commitment and determination from the man himself."
Strength to Change was launched last month at the KC Stadium before the rugby league derby match between Hull FC and Hull KR.
Posters are now being displayed around Hull to encourage men to seek help, and radio advertisements will be broadcast on Viking FM and KCFM to help raise awareness of the service.

How it works

By phoning 613403 men can speak to a member of staff and discuss their situation.
They can also find out what the service offers and how it can work with them and their families.
If they phone out of hours they can leave a message and will be called back as soon as the service is open again.
The service does not provide telephone counselling and a phone call alone will not be enough to stop violent and abusive behaviour.
However, it is the first step in starting a life free from violence and abuse.
If the man wants to continue, he will be offered an initial one-to-one assessment where his motivation to change, the extent of his violence and abuse, and the triggers for his behaviour will be explored.
If the initial assessment is positive, he will be invited to attend a further ten sessions of one-to-one counselling, with successful completion leading to group work.
Group work involves no more than eight men and two co-facilitators.
The group will examine a range of issues including men's attitudes towards women and techniques to avoid abusive behaviour in the future.
The group sessions will be run in the evenings during the week and are co-facilitated by a man and a woman.
The men will be given practical exercises, coping strategies and weekly homework which they can discuss at the next session.
The men's partners and children will be offered the services of a family practitioner to assess their needs and provide help to ensure their safety.

Health impact

The victims of domestic violence can find their physical and emotional health suffers and may cause them to turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of coping.
Children growing up in abusive households may suffer emotional harm and do less well at school.
"We want to support men who are ready to turn away from a way of life that is damaging their partners and children," says Christopher Long, the chief executive of NHS Hull.
"Many of these men want to change but don't feel they can, but we can show there that there is a way out."

Fact file domestic violence accounts for one in four of all cases of violent crime in the UK two women a week die at the hands of a current or former partner men as well as women can be victims of domestic violence, and it takes place in same sex and heterosexual relationships and across all age and ethnic groups and social classes domestic violence is rarely a one-off incident but a pattern of abuse which may last years

info

The service is led and funded by NHS Hull and supported by Hull Citysafe, Humberside Police, Hull Women's Aid, the Probation Service, Hull City Council's Children and Young People's Services and the NSPCC, as well as other agencies. Men wishing to get in touch with the Strength to Change service should call 613403. The opening hours for the telephone line are Mondays 10am - 1pm and 2 - 5pm; and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am - 1pm. For more information about the Strength to Change service visit www.strengthtochange.org

Working in partnership
Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust tel. (01482) 344700