Unique domestic violence scheme to be extended

A unique Oldham domestic violence pilot delivered by CGM CRC in partnership with the police has been extended and will also be rolled out to Rochdale.

Reframe was launched early in 2017 by Greater Manchester Police and the Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company (CGM CRC) to provide a new way to reduce domestic abuse in Oldham.

Reframe identifies and manages men who are committing domestic abuse, while also working to support their victims.

The award-winning project is special because it works with men who have not been charged with a criminal offence, but who are considered to be at risk of doing so.

The aim is to not only stop offences from occurring, but more crucially to help people make positive changes to their relationships.

CGM CRC provides two highly skilled members of staff who work with men who attend one-to-one supervision on a voluntary basis.

Funding was initially secured for a 12-month pilot, which was then evaluated.

Jim Robson, CGM CRC’s manager overseeing the project, said: “I am absolutely delighted that funding has been found to ensure this invaluable project continues.

“Our team has worked with men and their partners where there has been clear escalation of risk – such as evidenced by repeated police call outs to the address – and we have managed to intervene before serious incidents have occurred.

“A key focus has been to support the victim along with aiming to break cycles of abusive behaviour alerted to us by information received via partner agencies.”

Children’s Services in Oldham are now using Reframe regularly to support safety plans.

Mr Robson added: “Confidence in the project across Oldham is strong.

"The fact it has been recommissioned is testament to skills and shared confidence of our two case managers currently seconded to the project.”

In July of this year, Greater Manchester Police’s senior team in Oldham awarded Reframe’s staff - probation case managers Joanne Downs and Derek Rainford - ‘highly commended’ awards for services to the town.

Mr Rainford said: “One of the project’s strengths has been our ability to make the intervention fit the individual, to tailor it to their specific areas of risk and need.

"It has also been interesting to work with people involved in complex and sometimes volatile relationships.

“This has been made possible by being based with the police, and crucially because of support from colleagues who also work with the victim.”

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