Accessing support if you're concerned about your behaviour or that of someone you know
We understand that it may be difficult to recognise and acknowledge that you, or someone you know is acting, or has acted abusively. If you or someone you know are displaying behaviours listed under the definition of the domestic abuse act 2021, there is support available.
Positive Choices (+Choices) is available for anyone aged 16 years or above, regardless of gender or sexuality, who are engaged in abusive behaviour towards their current or former intimate partners, or immediate family members, providing the opportunity to recognise, acknowledge and change that behaviour. Positive Choices provides Respect accredited commissioned perpetrator services in the City of York and North Yorkshire. These services are designed to reduce risk to the victim-survivor and to work with the perpetrator in changing their behaviour.
Positive Choices provides support to a person causing harm, at all risk levels, offering different pathways of support including disrupt, triage and short-term support, one-to-one or group interventions, with the opportunity to then become a peer mentor. These services work alongside other agencies, including social care where there are children involved, specialist victim based domestic abuse services (IDAS) and the criminal justice system.
The aims are for individuals to be better able to recognise, acknowledge and change their abusive behaviours and to maintain a positive behaviour change. The service offers, a non-judgemental and supportive approach, whilst holding people to account and providing opportunities for them to choose to change.
Individuals must voluntarily want to address their behaviours in their relationships to engage with this service. An individual can self-refer or be referred by another professional or service.
If you're concerned about your own behaviour, or that of someone close to you, we would encourage you to contact +Choices program on telephone: 01904 557491 or email: info@inspirenorth.co.uk.
For more information visit their website: Inspire North - domestic abuse.
Respect is a national charity which also provides support to those who cause harm whilst holding them to account. For more details, please contact their helpline on telephone: 0808 8024040, or visit their website: respect.org.uk.