Freedom Programme

We have been delivering the Freedom Programme, created by Pat Craven, since 2009

The 11-week programme is open to women 17+ who want to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse in relationships. Each session explores the abusive tactics, controlling behaviours and belief systems of the dominator and the effects on our health and well-being. You can join at any week, meaning you do not have to wait until Week 1 to start. You can attend as many or as few sessions as you like. No pressure. 

Details about the Freedom Programme:

  • This is an 11-week education programme
  • As it is a rolling programme you can start the programme at any point and can catch up on any missed sessions when they are repeated.
  • Each session runs for 2 hours per week
  • Open to Women ages 17+
  • If attending our face to face sessions you will receive a free copy of ‘Living With The Dominator’ and a copy of The Home Study Workbook which is a supplement to ‘Living With The Dominator’.
  • if you join our zoom group you will have access to the online book and workbook.
During the sessions, we focus on a dominator and a woman called ‘Ann’. We don't talk about our own experiences, enabling a safe way to take part without anyone knowing what has happened to you. It is a safe way to express and process without worrying about what we say. 
We never give advice or tell a woman that she should leave. If it were that easy, she would have already left.

AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

1

To help women understand the beliefs held by abusive men and in doing so, recognise which of these beliefs they may have shared

2

To illustrate the effects of domestic violence on children

3

To assist women to recognise potential future abusers and assist in breaking the cycle of violence

4

To help women gain self-esteem and the confidence to improve the quality of their lives

5

To introduce women to community resources

"Attending a programme with other women going through the same situation offers confirmation of what is happening, as it can all be very confusing. And the strength of the staff and information shared in an upbeat positive way is amazing."

- Freedom Programme participant