'MEN behaving badly' have been targeted in a new initiative to tackle domestic violence in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Men willing to accept help are being invited to join a programme of 26 weekly sessions in Nelson in a bid to change their violent behaviour.

Similar carefully-designed courses elsewhere in the country have, say organisers, resulted in significant improvements in quality of life for women who have been subject of abuse from their partners.

The New Direction project, to run each Wednesday at the Silverman Hall, is being organised by co-ordinating body Pendle Magnet in conjunction with Burnley and Rossendale domestic violence forums.

Yvonne Statham, of Nelson and Colne College, who designed the programme, has already run a series of training courses for workers who will run the groups taking part.

She says: "We have created a programme that will assist men who are willing to commit themselves to attend weekly sessions over a number of months to change their behaviour."

Wives or partners of the men who attend will have the opportunity to join a women's group, where a variety of issues will be discussed to support the men's programme.

People interested in finding out more about the project should ring 0797 737 0365 and leave details on the answer phone.

Organisers say all referrals are in strict confidence and those who wish to join the programme will be invited for a personal discussion about suitability for the scheme.

They add the programme offers non-judgemental support to help men develop more acceptable lifestyles.

Paul Daykin, who convenes the domestic violence task group for Pendle Magnet, says the agencies in the three boroughs already provide a range of services for women who have suffered violence an abuse at home.

"Many of the women dealt with do not want to leave their partners, but just want their partners to change."

He added: "New Direction is a major step forward, because it tackles the cause of the problem and provides the service that many men and women have been asking for."

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