Background

Context for the Domestic Violence Intervention Programme in the South East.

The South East Domestic Violence Intervention Programme (SEDVIP) was set up as a regional initiative under the auspices of the South East Regional Planning Committee on Violence Against Women in response to the Report of the Task Force on Violence against Women (April 1997).
In July 2003 the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform funded the coordination of the SEDVIP to assist with the further development of the Programme in the four areas that make up the region, Carlow/Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.

The programme in each area is coordinated by a local steering group.

• Members of these four steering groups represent Women's Refuges, The Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse counselling centres, Carlow Women's Aid, Victim Support, Independent Mothers Projects, Local Area Networks on Violence against Women, Community Development Groups, Family Resource Centres, Health Board workers ( Including childcare, social workers, mental health, clinical psychologists), Counsellors and Psychotherapists, Probation Services, The Gardai and Men's Networks.

The SEDVIP adopts a twin approach to running the programme in the South East;

• Contact with the partner/ex-partner of the men who contact the programme in parallel with,
• A weekly group for male perpetrators.

Definition of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behaviour against an intimate partner or ex-partner, that includes but is not limited to physical assaults, sexual assaults, emotional abuse, isolation, economic abuse, threats, stalking and intimidation. (Respect Best Practice Guidelines October 2004)