A programme aimed at reducing domestic abuse re-offending and improving the wellbeing of perpetrators could soon be recognised as representing best practice.

Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service's (SDASS) behaviour change programme, Open2Change, is set to be evaluated by the University of Worcester.

The university's expert researchers will assess the programme's effectiveness in reducing re-offending and improving the wellbeing of perpetrators of domestic abuse.

The Open2Change programme is focused on addressing the root causes of domestic abuse through one-on-one behaviour change work.

It seeks to reduce the harm caused to victims and children, decrease re-offending, and provide early intervention to safeguard at-risk families.

SDASS believes the programme could have a "meaningful impact on domestic abuse".

Louisa Wrighton, Open2Change manager at SDASS, said: "Whilst we know that many graduates of our Open2Change programme have turned their lives around and that it has helped them address the underlying issues that caused the abusive behaviour in the first place, having research-backed evidence will be a key area in helping us to refine and develop this programme."

Open2Change was launched in 2021 and works with men and women across Swindon who have been responsible for domestic abuse.

The programme explores current or historic behaviour to enable positive change in those who use abusive or unhealthy behaviours toward a partner, former partner, or family member.

Ms Wrighton added: "Unless we address the root cause of this abusive behaviour, we will never truly be able to live in a society without abuse."

The University of Worcester ranks number one in the UK for quality education in the 2024 Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings.

The university’s School of Psychology specialises in trauma and violence prevention research.

The evaluation will be led by Dr Beverley Gilbert, senior lecturer within the violence prevention, trauma, and criminology department.

Dr Gilbert is an internationally recognised expert in domestic abuse, having spent 30 years working as a police officer and probation officer, including specialising as a detective family protection officer and in the integrated domestic abuse programme.

She also wrote and teaches the module 'Public Health Prevention of Violence and Managing Perpetrators', which is part of the MA Understanding Domestic and Sexual Violence at the University of Worcester.

Dr Gilbert is a consultant and trainer outside of university, co-writing and delivering training for the international accreditation agency 'Work with Perpetrators - European Network'.