Domestic Abuse - Butterflies right to be safe

Summary of project

The Project will develop inter-agency partnership arrangements that will progress a co-ordinated response to the provision of specialist support in rural Wrexham for: -

• Mothers and children who have been negatively affected by their experience of domestic abuse.
• Teenagers who are at risk from dysfunctional behaviours and coping strategies connected with their witness and experience of domestic abuse.

These programmes have been developed by NSPCC North Wales in partnership with communities for communities. They provide professionals and communities with an opportunity to increase, further develop and deliver preventative post-domestic abuse programmes.

A partnership of professionals from local agencies will deliver the NSPCC ‘Butterflies: Right to be Safe programmes.’

Programme One will provide a ten-week post abuse therapeutic programme of parallel learning for both women and children on the impact that domestic abuse has on their lives. It helps reframe experiences whilst providing a therapeutic forum for women and children to explore their feelings in a safe environment.

Programme Two will provide a ten-week programme for teenagers that explore their experiences of domestic abuse and how it may impact on their behaviour and values. The programme helps to build self esteem and protective behaviours while addressing issues around anger and conflict, sex and gender

NSPCC have pioneered these programmes across Wales and independent evaluation from Cardiff University (July 2006) provides positive recommendations for further delivery particularly within rural communities.