1. Women as Protectors Joan Hughes Team Manager

2. Aim To assist in reduction of risk to children where a parent has decided to remain with or may potentially be in contact with a convicted sexual offender or someone against whom sexual abuse allegations have been made either current or historic

3. Objectives of group To provide a comprehensive written report covering response to and progress made on the programme together with an assessment of risk and need To help participants in making and maintaining informed decisions about their relationship with the offender and their children’s safety To assess whether participants are able to contribute to their partner’s relapse prevention plan or protect their children from further abuse by current or future partners. This assessment, if positive, will facilitate the possibility of further work undertaken by volunteers trained to support and monitor future family dynamics

4. Objectives of group To help participants who choose not to remain in a relationship with the offender to protect themselves and their children against any other sex offender To help participants to understand and to process the effects of her partner’s abuse on them, the victim and on the family To help participants develop appropriate strategies and coping mechanisms to resolve associated problems

5. Programme based on 3 principles Inform Empower Support

6. Women As Protectors Groupwork programme – 20 hrs intervention Groupwork primary method of service delivery- theoretical model is based upon principles of cognitive therapy Strengths based approach/Mindfulness techniques Programme is for female partners or significant others of men who have been convicted of or had allegations made against them

7. Theoretical Model Intervention model is offender based Integrated approach based on Finkelhor’s 4 Model and Ward’s Good Lives Model

8. Programme themes Mindfulness Fictitious family What is sexual abuse Denial Finkelhor’s model Victim awareness and communicating with children re sexual abuse Good lives/Better Lives The Future

9. Outcomes The group member is capable of ensuring that her children are adequately protected in the future The group member is capable of protecting her children if support is provided The group member is unable to protect her children and therefore appropriate and relevant action should be initiated

10. Protective work with children Practical and accessible personal safety work Recognising and trusting intuitive feelings Strategies for self protection

11. Volunteer mentoring Volunteer recruitment Training – 2 day /ongoing Induction to NSPCC programme Volunteer Retention/Support

12. Volunteer Training Programme Attitudes Beliefs and Values What is sexual Abuse The Partner Understanding sexually abusive behaviour The fictitious family Women as Protectors content – session denial Child protection and safeguarding children Roles/responsibilities Personal boundaries/wellbeing