Make a Change contributes to new guide for professionals working with Neurodivergent men
Academics from the Department of Sociology’s Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (CRiVA) at Durham University have launched a new guide for professionals who work with men to help stop them causing harm in their intimate relationships.
The practice guide, Supporting Neurodivergent clients: A guide for practitioners facilitating domestic abuse perpetrator interventions, emerged from several years of research and was co-produced over the last year.
It is based on research by project lead, Dr Nicole Renehan, an Assistant Professor in Criminology, and Dr Vicky Butterby, a Postdoctoral Research Associate, at Durham University’s Department of Sociology – with input from Neurodivergent people, Neurodivergent-led organisations and domestic abuse specialists.
Make a Change supported the development of the guide alongside project partners, Community Justice Scotland and Probation Service North East, and project consultants, Neurodiverse Connection and Monika Labich Coaching and Therapy.
The guide offers practical advice and guidance to work safely, effectively and inclusively with Neurodivergent men, especially Autistic and/or ADHD men. It also includes a resource for organisations working with victims and survivors whose partner is Neurodivergent and accessing an intervention (see part 5.3a of the guide).
Supporting behaviour change
This new resource aims to fill a gap in practical guidance reported by professionals who deal with Neurodivergent clients. Through encouraging realistic adjustments in day-to-day work, it aims to drive better outcomes in behaviour change and increased safety and autonomy for victims and survivors.
It introduces tools for practitioners to challenge when violence and abuse is attributed to being Neurodivergent, while offering practical guidance to support clients to engage in meaningful behaviour change.
“Every stage of the guide was co-produced and co-created, from research design to publication and guide production.”
The Neurodiversity in Domestic Abuse (NDiDA) Practice website, which hosts the guide, was also launched as a platform to develop and share resources that support neuroinclusive approaches for working with men who have used violence in their intimate relationships.
Visit the NDiDA Practice website to learn more and register for updates.