The Mosaic project of the children's charity Barnardos is running a project called Partners for Protection for women whose partners are accused of abuse. They're working in conjunction with the probation services, and the sexual behaviour unit of the Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust, to equip them with techniques to help protect their children.
Many women undergo significant changes during the course, often moving from denying that their partners are guilty, to starting to believe that they have abused. Successful completion of the course can also contribute to how much contact social services are prepared to allow them with their children. It also leads to enduring friendships between women who have found others who have faced similar difficulties and with whom they can talk openly.
In her second report from Newcastle, Caroline Swinburne talks to Sarah and Claire at a reunion with Barnardos children services manager Carol Butler.Ìý They completed their course last summer and are now firm friends.
Martha asks psychologist Stephanie Hill from Partners for Protection and Kidscape director, Michelle Elliott whetherÌýit'sÌýever possible to reunite families with the abuser.
The names and voices of those involved have been changed to protect their identities
