Wokingham

Wokingham Men who have been violent, abusive or threatening to their partners or ex partners and want to change are invited to take part in a programme set up to help them. The Changing Ways programme is open to any man aged over 18 living in Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough or Wokingham.

The programme is NOT an anger management or counselling group; it focuses on changing attitudes and behaviours. Changing Ways comprises 30 structured group sessions designed to help men understand their violent and abusive behaviour and learn new ways of behaving. Sessions last two hours and take place on Monday evenings. Men are given a 45 minute assessment interview before they are accepted onto the programme. They may attend as part of an agreement with any agency with which they are already involved, for example social services, or refer themselves directly to the programme.

Lakeside Consultants, which provides the programme, will contact the female partners of any participants and give them information about their involvement.

The Changing Ways programme was designed and provided by Lakeside Consultants for Wokingham Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Slough Borough Council.

Wokingham Borough Council’s domestic violence reduction co-ordinator Jo McIntyre says: “People who have been violent to someone close to them need to stop dismissing their violence as a “one off” or “just a slap”. If they feel their partner deserves to be hit or is provoking them, or that they can’t help doing it, then they need to act to stop themselves. If they’ve got angry when their partner disagreed with them, or blamed their partner when they felt frustrated, then the situation may get worse if they don’t address their behaviour. Their partner will continue to be in danger until they take steps to change their attitude.”

“It can be tough to face up to difficult problems. We want to help abusive partners to make changes so that their behaviour is safe for their partners and for any children in the relationship,” says Jo. “We would encourage people to face up honestly to any abusive things they have done.”

There are still Wokingham places available for Changing Ways. Professionals who would like to refer a client to Changing Ways and men who would like to refer themselves should call John Roberts on 07818 054563. Partners or ex-partners suffering abuse who would like to speak to someone in confidence should call Berkshire Women’s Aid on (0118) 950 4003 or East Berkshire Women’s Aid on (01753) 549865.

Wokingham Borough Council