Counselling for men who beat their partners

WIFE beaters will be given oneto-one counselling in an attempt to curb domestic violence.

The project will try to persuade serial offenders to abandon abuse – rather than encouraging their victims to leave them.

It has won the backing of ministers, who said yesterday rehabilitation could help prevent attacks. However, one women’s charity said there was no evidence that therapy for offenders would prevent men from attacking.

The Drive programme of counselling – backed by police and crime commissioners from Essex, Sussex and South Wales – will be aimed at criminals and will run alongside efforts to help victims.

The SafeLives charity said its staff would meet the most dangerous offenders to try to reduce the likelihood of further attacks.

SafeLives’ chief executive Diana Barran said that it was not possible to reduce the number of victims without reducing the number of offenders.

She said: ‘The victims we work with have asked us why they are always the ones expected to change – and why too often the perpetrator is left free to continue their abuse of them and others.’

However Sandra Horley, of charity Refuge, told the BBC there was no evidence that attempts to reform violent partners work.

Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime Karen Bradley said: ‘This innovative pilot will give us greater insight into the causes of offending behaviour and the role of rehabilitation.’