What we do
Who is the helpline for?
We work with anyone who is violent or abusive towards a partner (or ex-partner). This includes:
-men who are abusive and/or violent towards female partners,
-women who are abusive and/or violent towards male partners,
-men and women who are abusive and/or violent towards a partner in same-sex relationships
The Respect Phoneline provides the following
to people who perpetrate domestic violence:
· Contact details about local domestic violence perpetrator programmes
· Clear, unequivocal messages about domestic violence
· Encouragement and motivation to get help and to stop their abusive behaviours
We:
· Discuss their abusive behaviours focusing on the processes that led to the
abuse and exploring non-abusive alternatives
· Explain that they have choices and are 100% responsible for their behaviour
· Try to increase their empathy towards their partner (and children) who has
suffered the abuse
· Send them an information pack
designed to enhance their understanding of domestic violence and motivate them
to access specialist help
We do not undertake long-term phone work or counselling
Our work with women who experience domestic violence by a partner as well as with concerned friends and family
The Respect Phoneline welcomes calls
from partners and ex-partners of perpetrators, friends and relatives. We:
· Signpost them to the national domestic violence helplines
· Explain how perpetrator programmes work, what's involved, what's best
practice and how they are different from anger management courses
· Encourage them to have realistic expectations about the likelihood of
perpetrators changing their behaviour
