Domestic abuse prevention work to receive university review
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service’s (SWA/SDASS) innovative behaviour change programme, Open2Change, is set to be evaluated by one of the leading universities specialising in the sector in a move that could lead to it being recognised as representing best practice.
Expert researchers from the University of Worcester will review the effectiveness of the Open2Change programme in reducing re-offending and improving the wellbeing of those who are responsible for domestic abuse. Through this one-on-one behaviour change work, SDASS aims to address the root cause of domestic abuse within our society through reducing the harm caused to victims and children, reducing reoffending and earlier intervention to safeguard families at risk.
With the government’s prioritisation in tackling violence against women and girls, and the need to increase knowledge and understanding of perpetrator behaviours, the Open2Change programme could be key in having a meaningful impact on domestic abuse.
The University of Worcester ranks as number one in the UK for Quality Education in the 2024 Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings. Its School of Psychology specialises in research around themes of trauma and violence prevention; an area where there are currently only a few research studies that explore the perspectives and voices of abusive individuals. It is hoped that significant learning will come from this aspect of the study around the effectiveness of the range of programme of activities delivered by SDASS.
Louisa Wrighton, Open2Change Manager at SDASS, explained: “Whilst we know that many graduates of our Open2Change programme have turned their lives around and that it has helped them address the underlying issues that caused the abusive behaviour in the first place, having research-backed evidence will be a key area in helping us to refine and develop this programme.
“We launched Open2Change in 2021, working with males and females across Swindon, regardless of sexual orientation, who have been responsible for domestic abuse. By exploring current or historic behaviour, our Behaviour Change Workers enable positive change in people who use abusive or unhealthy behaviours to a partner, former partner or family member. Unless we address the root cause of this abusive behaviour, we will never truly be able to live in a society without abuse.”
The Open2Change programme evaluation will be led by the University of Worcester’s Senior Lecturer within the Violence Prevention, Trauma and Criminology Department, Dr Beverley Gilbert. Dr Gilbert is an internationally renowned expert in domestic abuse, having spent 30 years working as a police officer and probation officer, including specialising as a Detective Family Protection Officer and in the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme.
She also wrote and teaches the module ‘Public Health Prevention of Violence and Managing Perpetrators’, which is part of the MA Understanding Domestic and Sexual Violence at the University of Worcester. She is a consultant and trainer outside of university, co-writing and delivering training for the international accreditation agency ‘Work with Perpetrators – European Network’.
