Partners of abusers to be given support to protect children

The service, called Women as Protectors and which begins later this month in three cities, will offer women across the UK emotional support as well as guidance on how they can protect their children.

It will provide both group and individual support and covers issues such as understanding sexual abuse and building confidence in keeping their children safe.

The NSPCC will deliver the service alongside the charity Circles South East, which works to reduce the risk of sexual abuse by offenders in the community.

The service is based on Circles South East’s Breaking The Cycle programme that also supports non-abusing partners of offenders.

Jon Brown, NSPCC tackling sexual abuse lead, said: “With the right support, a women whose husband or partner has sexually abused can provide essential protection for their children.  

“But until now that support hasn’t been widely available. Recovery plans often focus only on the person who poses a risk and women’s needs can be sidelined. That can have a damaging effect on the mother’s or carer’s ability to protect her children, leaving them at risk of sexual abuse.”

Circles South East chief executive Rebekah Saunders added: “It is vital for good child protection that mothers or other female carers are to develop their role as the primary protector.”

The first Women as Protectors programme sessions will start this month and in March in Belfast, Croydon and York.  

For social workers referring women to the programme, a report can be made available assessing their ability to protect their children and to identify areas of specific support needed.