Challenging patterns of thinking to change behaviour
Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP) is a group programme designed to challenge offenders' patterns of thinking that underpins and maintains their violent and abusive behaviour.
Programme Aims
IDAP is based on the belief that, with few exceptions, men who are abusive towards their female partners are deliberately attempting to control their victim. The victim and her children are of paramount importance in IDAP. As well as the staff working with the offender, IDAP includes Women's Safety Workers. These workers are responsible for contacting the victim, offering to formalise a safety plan and offering to keep her informed of the perpetrator's progress on the programme.
Who is suitable?
- Men aged 17 years and over convicted of offences of domestic violence and deemed of medium to high risk
- Offenders must exhibit an imminent risk of further domestic violence
Offenders must also demonstrate some motivation to change and possess some recognition of the unacceptability of their behaviour.
IDAP is not suitable for
- Offenders with severe mental illness
- Low risk offenders
- Offenders with learning difficulties
- Sexual offenders.
The programme involves:
- A total of 28 group sessions lasting 2.5 hours each. There are also pre-group and post-group sessions.
- Misogyny, woman blaming, and offence minimisation are common among this group of offenders and are directly addressed by IDAP.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the principal working approach. Offenders are encouraged to understand the link between beliefs, feelings, intents, and actions. The development of understanding and self-knowledge is accompanied by instruction on the use of non-violent strategies.
- Offenders will be required to sign a written contract, which outlines the rules and expectations of the programme, as well as a statement of agreement to the release of information to social services, the police and other relevant partner agencies.
