By Charlotte Webster-
A unique campaign has been set up in West Yorkshire to support the perpetrators of domestic abuse desperate to change their ways. Set up by West Yorkshire Police in support of an international 16 days of action against domestic violence, the ‘It’s in Your Hands’ initiative targets both men and women concerned about their behaviour.
The campaign launch includes a video featuring a reformed offender talking about the impact a conviction had on his life and encouraging others to seek help to change their ways.
The fantastic idea thought up by West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable, Catherine is top class and could transform the lives of perpetrators with a well thought out scheme to implement it.
Hankinson(pictured) is working to assist those who recognise they have an issue to seek help as early as possible. An experienced officer, Ms Hankinson served with Greater Manchester Police for 22 years and has worked in a variety of roles including Divisional Commander at Oldham and South Manchester where her key responsibilities were delivering operational performance, managing risk and developing partnerships with stakeholders and communities.
West Yorkshire Police told The Eye Of Media.Com that people who are being ”abusive may understandably not necessarily want to speak to the police, but we also signpost them to independent organisations, again listed in the link.
They added that it is :
”largely aimed at people who may be abusive, but haven’t yet got to the point of being arrested/dealt with by the police, hopefully to change behaviour before it get to that point, so when you ask how we will achieve it, we hope they will take the initiative and seek help, rather than us take the action. We would also seek to steer those people who we do deal with towards help agencies too, though there is then also the enforcement element when offences are committed and people are arrested and charged.
ACCOMPLISHED
As Strategic Partnership lead with Manchester City Council, the accomplished officer also worked with partners to develop Early Help & Intervention and Integrated Neighbourhood Working
She added: “We do a lot of work to encourage people affected by domestic abuse to break the cycle and seek help. Our message with this campaign is that ultimately it is in the perpetrators’ hands and their hands only to change their behaviour for good.
“Families can be torn apart by domestic abuse, but we also know a lot of people want to do what they can to keep their family together. Ultimately, the earlier that you get help to understand and change the way you behave, the better chance you have of fixing your relationship with your partner and protecting any children in your household.”
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner, has called for the initiative to be spread to the public.
He added: “It is all about getting help at the earliest stage possible from support organisations which can work with you to change your behaviour if you are concerned that you’re becoming aggressive or controlling towards your partner.
The effects of what are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which include domestic abuse, are becoming much more widely understood. It’s crucial that as part of our efforts to tackle these issues we raise awareness of the further and very damaging consequences of domestic abuse in the hope that it will help trigger a change in behaviour.
“It is all about getting help at the earliest stage possible from support organisations who can work with you to change your behaviour if you are concerned that you’re becoming aggressive or controlling towards your partner.
“Anyone who is concerned about their own behaviour should seek help.”