Another Thank you for Freedom

I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for designing the freedom programme and empowering women, like myself, who have had their power taken away.

It was three years since I had left my abusive ex and I thought I had a handle on things. Although with hindsight he was still using the children to manipulate me.  Then after a contact visit my 4 year old came back and told me that her father had touched her inappropriately. I was devastated.

My lovely health visitor recommended the freedom programme as a means of support and also as a way of gaining perspective on the events both recent and in the past.

It allowed me to finally forgive myself for "allowing" the abuse to happen to me. It has also helped me to get through the hideous civil court process, which seems intent on protecting the perpetrator's parental rights at the cost of my children's wellbeing.

I feel all social workers and judges should attend courses like yours so they can recognise the truth rather than believing manipulative, controlling liars.

Unfortunately in my case it is looking likely that the court will award my ex supported contact sessions, recommended by social services, as there was no evidence of the sexual abuse he inflicted on my daughter and it is only her word against his.

However, thanks to you I feel so much stronger than I did before and can recognise all his behaviour patterns: for example when he lies about his past abusive behaviour and tries to convince the court I have somehow coached my children to say things about him, and makes sure he "accidentally" gets my name wrong in court.  I found myself sitting in court thinking to myself this is the bad-parent, this is the liar, this is the persuader etc.  Almost like it was "the quiz"! 

I now know that regardless of what the future may hold he will never have control over me again.

So thanks again and know how much your work touches the lives of women like me.

Thank you for the Freedom Programme from Fiona

Dear Pat Craven

I join the thousands of women who have a debt of gratitude to you. 

Your book and programme changed my life.  The darkness I experienced growing up and long into adulthood has become light. Walking through treacle has become running a marathon for pleasure. Boundaries, ambivalence, staying with difficult emotions has led me from a place of confusion to a place of clarity and certainty.  I in turn have been able to offer encouragement and support to so many women. 

My mothers history, is no longer my own. Mine is no longer my daughters. Our family cycle has been broken.

Thank you. From deep in my soul, right to yours :-)

Fiona

12 out of 16 women had their children returned from care.

Christine Ashton runs the WAVE centre in Leigh who run the freedom programme and provided these stats. Here are all the contact details. 

chris@wavedvcentre.com 

01942 262290 

Freedom Programme Evaluation from WAVE DV Centre between June and November 2012. 

62 women were referred to the WAVE Freedom Programme. 48 women completed the programme. 

16 of them had children in the care of the local authority. 

28 of those children were subject to child projection plans and described as in need of safeguarding. (This was formerly known as the ‘at risk register’)

37 of the women who started the programme reported that they suffered from depression. 

24 of those women were taking prescribed anti depressants.

After completing the programme only 4 of the women still had children who remained in care. 

12 of them still had children who were subject to child protection plans. 

15 women now reported that they were depressed. 

12 women were still taking prescribed anti depressants. 

SUMMARY.

As a result of attending the Freedom Programme at the WAVE DV Centre:

12 out of 16 women had their children returned from care.

16 out of 28 women had their children’s names removed from the child protection plans. 

25 out of 37 women said they no longer suffered from depression. 

12 out of 24 women were no longer taking anti depressants. 

Wanted. A Funding Fairy

Wanted. A Funding Fairy

Please can anyone help us? WAVE DV Centre provides the Freedom Programme to protect women and children in Wigan. I support their work and act as their patron. I donate as much as I can afford but they need more. We would be really grateful if someone could  help them apply for funding and to expand the service they provide to women and children. 
Here is a reminder of the success of their programmes. 

Christine Ashton who runs the Freedom Programme at the WAVE DV Centre in Leigh provided these statistics. Here are all the contact details. 

chris@wavedvcentre.com 

01942 262290 

Freedom Programme Evaluation from WAVE DV Centre between June and November 2012. 

62 women were referred to the WAVE Freedom Programme. 48 women completed the programme. 

16 of them had children in the care of the local authority. 

28 of those children were subject to child projection plans and described as in need of safeguarding. (This was formerly known as the ‘at risk register’)

37 of the women who started the programme reported that they suffered from depression. 

24 of those women were taking prescribed anti depressants.

After completing the programme only 4 of the women still had children who remained in care. 

12 of them still had children who were subject to child protection plans. 

15 women now reported that they were depressed. 

12 women were still taking prescribed anti depressants. 

SUMMARY.

As a result of attending the Freedom Programme at the WAVE DV Centre:

12 out of 16 women had their children returned from care.

16 out of 28 women had their children’s names removed from the child protection plans. 

25 out of 37 women said they no longer suffered from depression. 

12 out of 24 women were no longer taking anti depressants.