Support group helps free women from domestic abuse

A training programme designed to help victims of domestic violence make positive choices about their lives has been credited with empowering women to move on from abusive relationships. The research, carried out by the University of Bristol, evaluated the Freedom programme , a 12-week UK-wide course that provides women with a supportive group setting in which to learn about the reality of domestic abuse, how to recognise it and where to turn to for help. The programme exists across the UK but has never been assessed across a number of groups within a specific area to evaluate its effectiveness. The study, by Dr Emma Williamson and Dr Hilary Abrahams of the University's Centre for Gender and Violence Research at the School for Policy Studies , evaluated the Bristol-based programme and found that the programme was successful in empowering women to take control of their situation. The programme in Bristol is unique in that it is provided through a network of practitioners in order to ensure that quality and standards are maintained across the city. The study, funded by Barnardo's locally and commissioned on behalf of the Bristol Freedom Network, assessed the responses from 27 volunteer participants to surveys completed at the beginning and end of the programme. At the beginning of the programme, the majority of women said their main aim was to gain more confidence.