October is domestic violence awareness month. In the last in a series of features, chief reporter Robert Fisk finds out how the probation service deals with abusers and helps their victims.

Sitting with a group of other abusers talking about what they have done and how to control their anger is the position offenders find themselves in after being sentenced for domestic violence.

The discussions are part of the integrated domestic abuse programme (IDAP) which is run by the Probation Service and is, more often than not, a part of the sentence handed down by magistrates.

Over 27 weeks the course covers topics including recognising that they have been abusive, coping with jealousy, putting strategies in place to calm themselves down, recognising the signs that they are getting angry and taking a time out and removing themselves from a situation before it gets out of hand.

Rehabilitation services manager Jill Waters, from the South East Domestic Abuse Unit, said this course is very successful.

She said: “We can see them in sessions engaging with the material and making changes and recognising their abuse.

“It’s very rewarding because in that respect when you see a man making significant disclosures it is very powerful.

“What the men tell us very often is why wasn’t this taught in school.

“They say ‘I don’t want to turn into my dad’ because they saw their dads beating up their mums when they were growing up.”

From the time the abuser is put on the IDAP their victim is given the support of a women’s safety officer, if they want it.

They help them through the 27 weeks on a one to one basis.

A women’s safety officer, who did not want to be named to protect her clients, said: “Some women want to discuss how their partner is getting on.

“Some women want to flee the relationship so we help them in finding a refuge.

“Safety planning is a big part of the work and if we are talking about fleeing we say have a bag ready at a friend’s house, including important documents like birth certificates.”

The Probation Service also has men’s safety officers for men who are victims of domestic violence.

If you are a domestic violence victim, help is available by calling the police on 101 or the family justice centre on 020 8688 0100 or going to croydon.gov.uk/community/dabuse/fjcentre or emailing fjc@croydon.gov.uk