REPROVIDE Perpetrator programme  Information for professionals

Zoom presentation on the 26 week group programme

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-reprovide-programme-in-bristol-ticket...

(Trial intervention: 26-week group-based domestic violence perpetrator programme run by Splitz)

Email: reprovide-men@bristol.ac.uk  REPROVIDE mobile: 07976 225462

Who is suitable?*

Men who are or have been using violence/abuse in their relationships with women partner(s) or ex-partners

Men who are concerned about their behaviour

Men aged 21 and over

Men who live in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

How do I contact the research team about a man who is interested?

Please ask the man for his contact details and consent to pass these on to the research team.  Please then text, email or phone us, and we will get in touch with the man. Alternatively, he can contact us directly himself. 

Why do we need a trial and what will the trial involve?

Despite some positive findings in recent evaluations, there is still debate about the effectiveness of perpetrator programmes.  Men who take part in the trial will either join a 26-week group programme or be allocated to usual care. Those in the group programme will attend weekly group meetings covering topics including Building empathy; Domestic abuse and the impact on children; Rebuilding trust and respect. The aim of the programme is to promote and ensure safety of victims and their children, to prevent/mitigate the risk of reoffending and to promote change in abusive/harmful behaviour. Both men in the group programme and usual care will be asked to complete questionnaires during the study. Female partners / ex-partners of the men involved in the study will also be invited to take part and will be offered or signposted to appropriate support.  All participants will receive ‘thank you’ gift vouchers totally £50 for completing all questionnaires over a 9-month period.

What do we mean by violence and abuse and what topics does the programme cover?

Abusive behaviour can involve a range of actions, including physically hurting someone, pushing or shoving, frightening them, or controlling or pressuring them into doing what you want or not doing what they want.

Is it fair to refer a man to a trial if he might not get the intervention?

We think it is up to the man to decide if he chooses to take part in the trial or not.  We don’t know whether the group is effective or not. A randomised controlled trial is a robust measure of effectiveness; it will help guide commissioning decisions.   The intervention arm (group programme) is in addition to whatever usual care a man may access independently of the research.       

Is the group programme being run by a reputable provider, experienced research team, and who is funding it?

Yes the group programme is being run by Splitz Support Service which is a Respect accredited organisation.  The research is carried out by a team of experienced researchers who are based at the University of Bristol and it is led by Professor Gene Feder.  The Department of Health is funding this study through the National Institute for Health Research.

Pre-group assessment; risk assessment/management; multi-agency working

Men will be assessed by REPROVIDE and Splitz to check their suitability for both the trial and perpetrator programme.  Prior to the programme, men allocated to the intervention arm will undergo a comprehensive risk assessment, with risk being continually monitored during the programme. Splitz will work as part of a coordinated community response, sharing information with the relevant organisations as and when necessary.

*Please note, the trial of the group programme is only suitable for heterosexual men. However, the research team would still like to hear the views of people who may not fit the eligibility criteria. Please get in touch with the team if you have any queries.