The book is short enough that it can be read in one sitting if desired, but the greater benefit to the reader may well come after multiple readings! This book should be a mandatory read for all young people as it teaches what a healthy relationship should look like! Another of our facilitators uses them for her Freedom Programme for women with learning disabilities. A woman should provide services and act as an unpaid servant’ – does nothing around the house to help, Burn everything he cooks. There are many elements of abusive dynamics that people rarely consider, and the links to wider society and how abusers' beliefs can become internalised in everyone were really interesting to me.

The Freedom Programme also describes in detail how children are affected by being exposed to this kind of abuse and very importantly how their lives are improved when the abuse is removed.Attending a programme with other women going through the same situation offers confirmation of what is happening, as it can all be very confusing. I have read it twice already in less than a week, and will no doubt pick it up again in the future to remind myself of 'red flags' to watch out for. It gave them the inner strength to recognise all the tell tale signs, and to have the courage to make a full break from the relationship.

It places a lot of abuse survivors' issues into context and highlights warning behaviours so you can protect yourself in the future. It is eye opening, informative, empowering, sometimes funny and often times sad, a lot concerning but also powerful, relieving, validating and insightful. To introduce women to community resources such as Women's Aid, the Police Domestic Violence Unit, The Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, local Colleges etc. My only criticism is that every scenario is “worst case scenario” it doesn’t really touch upon the “everyday” cases of mental or physical abuse or dare I phrase it is the mental abuse that is accepted as “normal”. This included other ‘professionals’ and the women and girls whose lives could be changed or even saved if they were just given this vital information.Pat Craven, the author of 'Living with the Dominator' is a former probation officer who worked with male perpetrators of violence against women.

When he has justified the use of violence, he will hit her and then usually say he was so drunk, he doesn’t remember doing it! The warning signs chapter is particularly useful, as often these are the little things we let pass, but which can indicate bigger problems to come. I am trying to understand what happened in my childhood and was recommended this book to understand how my parents relationship may have impacted on me. However I am very much not in a violent relationship so that wasn’t the purpose I was reading this for.

It can help readers of any age and sexual orientation to change their own behaviour and to recognise when they are being controlled. I have produced this manual in response to requests from hundreds of practitioners who have asked for a different approach to working with men who use violence against women. The pack is available to purchase as a download from Vimeo Films and can be used in power point presentations. The 11-week programme is open to women 17+ who want to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse in relationships.