Published: Saturday, 6th February, 2010 4:00pm

Domestic abuse support project moves to Maidenhead

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A SUPPORT scheme for perpetrators of domestic abuse in East Berkshire is moving to a new home in Maidenhead.

The Changing Ways programme - for men who want to change their violent and abusive behaviour towards their female partners or former partners - is moving after more than three years at its base in Bracknell.

Changing Ways is open to any man aged 18-years-old and over, living in the Royal Borough, Slough, Bracknell Forest or Wokingham. He must accept he has been violent, abusive or threatening to his female partner or former partner, and have some degree of motivation to change his behaviour.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member with responsibility for community safety, said: "One of the ways we will really tackle and reduce domestic abuse is to get perpetrators to change their ways. We need to ensure that all agencies continue to take a robust approach and take these vile crimes seriously. Domestic abuse is an awful, cowardly crime carried out behind closed doors.

The Changing Ways programme consists of 30 group sessions and is designed to help men understand their behaviour and learn how to change - it is not a counselling service or anger management course but instead is designed to help men understand and accept responsibility for their violence. It provides learning opportunities to help perpetrators stop the violence and replace it with non-violent, non-abusive behaviour. To make a referral call John Roberts on 07818 054563.