Teesside Probation Service 6th Floor Centre North East, 73-75 Albert RD Middlesbrough Cleveland Tele 01642 230533

Teesside Probation Service provide two separate services for those suffering from domestic violence.

The probation service is responsible for supervising perpetrators of domestic violence crimes. On conviction at court these perpetrators, as part of their sentence attend the community domestic violence programme.

The domestic violence programme will introduce participants to an understanding of the underlying causes of domestic violence. A cognitive behavioural 'What Works' approach will be used taking account of feminist perspectives, of power and control, to analyse inappropriate power relationships and behaviour.

Understanding the impact of their abusive behaviour and instruction in developing alternative methods will be used to enable participants to change their behaviour patterns.

The effects of domestic violence upon the wider family, particularly children, will be addressed as part of the course. Poor communication within relationships can be a factor of domestic violence and better communication skills training is included in the course.

Participants, in addition to attending the course sessions, will have skills development exercises to carry out at home, which form an integral part and requirement of the overall course.

The course is designed for offenders involved in committing violence within a domestic setting. Where appropriate, the course will be combined with the alcohol or drug awareness course.

The course is comprised of twenty six sessions, three hours per session plus homework skills development exercises.

In order for perpetrators to attend this programme, a special condition needs to be inserted into the probation order. The partners of all the perpetrators are given the opportunity to access support from the women's safety worker.

The form of words should therefore be:

"...............to attend the domestic violence programme at the probation centre under schedule 1A(2) of the Powers of the Criminal Courts Act 1973 as amended by the Criminal Justices Act 1991."