New data shows lasting change to domestic abuse victims and perpetrators
A new report shows Elmore’s domestic abuse service contributing to lasting changes for victims/survivors and perpetrators across Oxfordshire.
As part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Family Solutions Plus practice model, Elmore supports parents and guardians with children in need or child protection cases who have been victim/survivors and/or perpetrators of domestic abuse.
This new evaluation shows the impact of Elmore’s domestic abuse caseworkers as they listen, engage, attempt to understand, and build trust with families and the social workers and other professionals that they work alongside.
New data shows an increasing number of requests for intervention, assessments and clients supported. The use of Empowerment and Change Outcome Stars as measures of impact also show significant improvements.
The evaluation shows Elmore workers helping to improve perpetrator attitudes, communication skills, and relationships with family members. Changing the attitudes of perpetrators, particularly towards women, is the category for which the strongest improvement is observed. The evaluation also shows Elmore FSP domestic abuse workers helping to improve the lives of victims/survivors with support around legal issues, money, accommodation, work, support networks, safety, health and wellbeing, and their relationships with children. The strongest improvement is in the empowerment and self-esteem of victims/survivors.
Since January 2022 a total of 147 people have received support (of which 83 were victims/survivors and 64 were perpetrators).
For perpetrators, Elmore aims to challenge and address attitudes and beliefs that support and underpin abusive behaviours. Elmore will identify and support non-abusive, respectful behaviours to increase the safety of the family through a group programme underpinned by group work and peer-to-peer learning. Modules cover gender roles and responsibilities, communication and support, being a good father, and conflict resolution and non-violent behaviour.
For victims/survivors Elmore provides a needs-led 1-2-1 service to set goals for themselves and their children and learn to recognise harmful behaviours. Support will be provided for several months, as required within the timeframes of the needs of the child(ren), to empower parents to keep their family safe, increase their self-worth, and achieve independence.
Tom Hayes, Chief Executive of Elmore Community Services, said: “Every child should have an equal chance in life, but domestic abuse can result in abuse and neglect, as well as harm to the parent being subjected to abuse. Elmore’s domestic abuse service works to support children and victims and change the attitudes of perpetrators. As this new report shows, Elmore has supported a significant number of people to end the cycle of abuse across Oxfordshire.”
Notes
Elmore has released a podcast series called ‘Ending the Cycle of Abuse’ to shine a light on its work to make lasting change with domestic abuse perpetrators. The series includes four conversations involving the women who have designed, established, and delivered the programme to abusers.
Elmore has released a podcast series called ‘Flipping the Narrative’ to challenge the sexism and misogynistic attitudes which can lead to the abuse of women. The podcast has been provided to perpetrators on Elmore’s domestic abuse group programme.
Elmore Chief Executive Tom Hayes recently went onto BBC Radio Oxford to raise awareness about domestic abuse support in Oxfordshire, and you can listen below.