Turning the Spotlight Domestic Abuse Programme

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall yesterday joined staff and volunteers in the second phase of their training in preparation for the delivery of courses and interventions for families affected by domestic abuse.

Turning the Spotlight is an innovative project that takes a preventative and holistic approach working with perpetrators, victims and their families, using restorative principals to prevent and reduce incidents of low-level domestic abuse. Victim Support has worked in partnership with Craft, a specialist consultancy organisation to develop a Healthy Relationships, Parenting and Partner Support course that will be offered alongside one to one support for those who are experiencing issues within their relationship.

The training event was held at the Stoneybeck Inn, Penrith, by Craft Consultancy and follows a three day multi agency training event held last week.  Victim Support has recently been commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver Turning the Spotlight after the success of a pilot project established over the past two and a half years.

Speaking of the event, Peter McCall said: “I was really pleased to put funding into this innovative programme as I believe that by working with perpetrators of domestic abuse and their families through this programme, we will increase the chances of breaking the cycle of the offender’s behavior.  Prevention is key, and whatever we can do to prevent and reduce incidents of domestic abuse has got to be a positive step.”

Claire Powell, Contract Manager for Victim Support said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr McCall to the event to meet with staff and take part in the training for this exciting range of interventions.  Whilst we have been delivering Turning the Spotlight for the past few of years, this is an exciting new phase as we build on our knowledge and experience in our remodeled service.

Turning the Spotlight is a ground-braking initiative developed in Cumbria, and accessible county-wide, either by self-referral or through referral from partners or the police.  For more information, contact Laraine Carr at Victim Support, email: Laraine.Carr@victimsupport.org.uk

Or email:  turningthespotlight@victimsupport.org.uk

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Editors Notes

Following the success of the county-wide ‘Turning the Spotlight’ holistic domestic abuse perpetrator prevention programme a decision was made within the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner to commit further funding of £585,878 over two and a half years, to support a further programme. Following a competitive tender exercise, Victim Support were selected to deliver the programme.