UK 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline 0808 2000 247
The Freedom Programme
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FREEDOM PROGRAMME By the creator Pat Craven
In 1996 I went to work on the Probation Service Programme for male perpetrators of violence against women. For two years I sat with groups of men who had assaulted, raped and even killed women. I gained a unique insight as to why they did it.
I wrote the Freedom Programme to pass this information to past, present and potential future victims. I want to save women and girls from misery and potential death. I want to stop children being removed from their mothers or being murdered by abusive and revengeful men.
Click here to read the full history of the Freedom Programme.
The FREEDOM programme is for any woman who wishes to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse. Click here to see our Dominator and Mr Right graphic and find out more about abusive and controlling behaviour
It is usually provided as a FREE 12-week rolling programme, which means that you can join at any point - the benefits are the same so long as you complete 12 weeks.
What are its aims?
Freedom Programme Aims
- To help women understand the beliefs held by abusive men and in so doing, recognise which of these beliefs they have shared
- To illustrate the effects of domestic violence on children
- To assist women to recognise potential future abusers, Mr Wrong or Mr Right. Click here to find out more(Link to Mr Right/Wrong)
- To help women gain self-esteem and the confidence to improve the quality of their lives
- To introduce women to community resources such as Women's Aid, the Police Domestic Violence Unit, The Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, local Colleges etc.
Freedom Programme Mission Statement
- Any woman should be able to phone the contact numbers on my web site and be told where and when the next session is taking place and whether crèche facilities are available
- We do not endorse intrusive questions, referrals or risk assessments. Women must be actively welcomed to the programme
- We never give advice or tell any woman that she should leave. If it was so easy we would have all left. Judgemental statements such as ‘I would never let anyone do that to me’ are not acceptable
- Facilitators should refer to all women as ‘us’ and never use the dreaded words ‘These Women’
- These programmes are only for the women who attend them. We do not endorse the presence of observers
- Every woman who attends should be given a copy of the book, ‘Living with the Dominator’ as soon as she arrives
Where is it held?
The Freedom Programme is now being run by trained facilitators at a number of different venues. Click here to find a group in your TOWN or COUNTY.
Freedom Programme in Schools
These people are running the programme for young people
Girls and Boys
Bolton Women’s Aid - Bolton, Lancashire
01204 365 677
Burnley School - Burnley, Lancashire
Edel or Zoe 01282 457910
Mark Bocker - Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire
07920 820 365
01254 231553
head@oswaldtwistle.lancs.sch.uk
Girls
St Helens Family Crime Investigator - St. Helens,
Liverpool, Merseyside
DC Pauline Thomas
0151 777 1589
'Living with the Dominator'
The books 'Living with the Dominator' and 'The Freedom Programme Home Study Course' can be helpful. Click here to purchase books
Freedom Programme for Men
Click here for more information
