The new Avon and Somerset PCC Mark Shelford is supporting Drive Project's launch of its recent film Helen's Story, which highlights the need to target perpetrators' behaviour to protect victims of domestic abuse.

Helen's Story is a six-minute film about how a perpetrator-focused intervention changed the life of Helen, a survivor of domestic abuse while changing the behaviour of the perpetrator.

The Drive Project, with support from PCCs including Mark Shelford, wants to see the end of an era where victims have to do all the hard work to keep themselves safe and, instead, where every survivor is supported with a quality response for them and the perpetrator. It's time to be pro-active and #StopTheAbuseChangeTheStory.

Drive offers an evidence-led approach that targets the perpetrators' behaviour to stop the cycle of reoffending and, in turn, increase victim and survivor safety. The programme challenges offenders' behaviour and encourages them to work with partner agencies to stop the abuse.

In October 2020, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) became the lead commissioner for the Drive Project in South Gloucestershire and supports the local authority as they implement the programme.

PCC Mark Shelford: "Drive Project's latest film highlights the difference that interventions that focus on the behaviour of perpetrators makes a long-term difference to victims and survivors. Victims are never to blame and it's time we put the responsibility back onto the offender.

"With over 2 million adults experiencing domestic abuse each year in the UK, we need to ensure that the approach of the police, local authorities and other partners does not solely put the onus on the survivor but includes tackling the perpetrators' behaviour to prevent anyone else becoming a victim of the same offender."

Rachael Hunt who chairs the South Gloucestershire Partnership Against Domestic Abuse (PADA), said: "This film is a valuable reminder of the need to work with perpetrators, in addition to supporting survivors, to ensure that we break the chain of abuse. This is why the council is pleased to work with the Police and Crime Commissioner and to invest in introducing Drive locally. I hope as many people as possible can spare a few minutes to watch this powerful film and speak out if you spot the signs of abuse. We can only stop this type of behaviour by supporting each other and not turning a blind eye to the actions of the perpetrators."

To watch the video click HERE : Warning it does include descriptions and discussion of domestic abuse.