People who show harmful behaviours in their relationships are being urged to get help in a new campaign called Break the Cycle aimed at reducing domestic abuse and supporting families.
Support is being provided by the Bridges Partnership, Tameside’s Domestic Abuse service, which is run by Jigsaw Support and commissioned by Tameside Council.
Delivery partner Talk, Listen, Change (TLC) is providing support that aims to help people form better relationships and build safer, stronger and happier home environments for everyone.
In 2023/24 there were 3,692 domestic abuse suspects from Tameside reported to Greater Manchester Police – of these 673 were repeat suspects.
An unhealthy behaviour is a direct action that intimidates your partner or another family member and makes them feel scared or anxious. It could be hitting, kicking, shouting, criticising them, or subjecting them to emotional or financial abuse. It could be preventing them from seeing friends or family or controlling what they wear or where they go.
People can self-refer onto the TLC programme, or they can be referred by a professional working with them such as a GP or social worker.
Tameside Council Executive Member for Public Health Cllr Taf Sharif said: “It’s normal to have disagreements and get into arguments with your partner or a family member from time to time. But if you’re causing them physical or frequent emotional harm, it’s time to seek help and we want you to know we have effective support available in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment.”
The programme includes work around identifying healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships, raising awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on children, a partner and reflecting on the participant’s own incidents of abuse. It has successfully reduced physical and emotional abusive behaviours in most people who have completed it.
There are bespoke programmes tailored for different needs including people in same sex relationships or people whose first language is not English. Partners, family members and children will also be offered support while the person is accessing TLC support.
For more information and to get free support, including for people experiencing domestic abuse, visit www.bridgespartnership/breakthecycle.
Pictured: (L to R) TLC Domestic Abuse Prevent Worker Emma Jones, Cllr Sharif and Tameside Council Domestic Abuse strategic Manager Lisa Morris.
