Today Rape Crisis praised the video of the National Network of Stopping Violence Services as an excellent resource for domestically violent men and people working with them.

"Your Call shows the success of the programmes of Stopping Violence Services are in helping men to change their behaviour, while maintaining the safety of women and children as their first priority," says Claire Benson, National Spokeswoman of Rape Crisis.

"It is incredibly heartening to see that men who have been violent can change if they are given support and encouragement."

Over 200 women each year contact Rape Crisis because their partners have sexually assaulted them. Over 50% of the offenders are current partners, 13% are ex-partners and 30% are casual partners such as dates. Many of these women report other forms of violence from their partners such as physical abuse, sexual harassment, and emotional or mental abuse.

"We all want the violence to stop - funding prevention and rehabilitation is just as necessary as funding support services to the women and children who have suffered domestic violence. This video can be used to encourage men that others just like them have been able to change," says Ms Benson. "We need to see similar programmes developed for men who sexually offend against adult women so that they get the same message – that they can stop their violence."

--ends--

© Scoop Media