The Freedom Programme examines the tactics and behaviours of the Dominator. The aim is to help women to make sense of and understand what has happened to them. The programme is run over 11 or 12 weeks. The Freedom Programme also includes how children are affected by experiencing this kind of abuse.
- Created by Pat Craven who was a Parole Officer and worked with hundreds of violent men throughout her career. She recognised that there were very specific behaviours and tactics these men used to abuse their partners.
- Pat also realised there was a misapprehension that women that were abused had an understanding of what was happening to them – THIS IS NOT TRUE. A women in the middle of all this abuse will be confused and often also believes that it is somehow her fault.
- The programme runs for 11 or 12 weeks with a weekly theme
- Women can be either in the relationship or have left. It is for all women at any stage of their journey