Female Awareness of
Domestic Abuse

As part of our Culturally Integrated Family Approach (CIFA), RISE delivers Female Awareness of Domestic Abuse (FADA) which is a one-to-one intervention for women who are abusive or violent in the domestic setting. It consists of between 8-12 sessions dependent on the service user so is flexible for them.

FADA is a holistic programme that uses trauma-informed techniques to acknowledge that many women have been/are victims of domestic abuse as well. Attachment theory, cognitive behavioural therapy, and child safeguarding also form a significant part of the programme. The psychodynamic elements acknowledge the woman causing harm and their mental health.

The sessions include a core module in which the service user observes the link between feeling, thoughts and behaviours. The focus is then on building a toolkit of strategies for dealing with negative emotions and ensuring change.

FADA then observes emotional abuse, encouraging self-reflection towards her unhealthy strategies of dealing with conflict and how violent and abusive behaviours affects others including the service users partner and children. The practitioner helps identify some of the beliefs underpinning actions and how to access the service users needs in a way that is healthier for themselves and others.

This leads to anger management solutions, examining the signs of anger arousal and the difference between assertive behaviour, passive and aggressive behaviour. The aim is to explore ways of reducing tension and to teach strategies for assertive behaviour.

The strategies that are explored are rooted in the aspects of a healthy relationship as opposed to coercive control. The women causing harm will consider the strengths and weakness of her current relationship and identify areas she could improve. Feminist theory is also used to examine gender stereotypes and how they influence our beliefs and actions including the misuse of power, and the responsibility we have to control our own emotions.

As a tailored programme, practitioners will also look into substance misuse and child safeguarding. Practitioners will increase the service users awareness of the damage that alcohol can do and teach tips on how to cut down and keep safe. This is to protect herself and her children (if applicable). Empathetic skills will be encouraged to consider and examine the overall needs of her children, identify her parenting skills, recognise the effects of parental violence, and identify what she could do differently to meet her children’s needs.