Change that Lasts and CLEAR

What is Change that Lasts?

Change that Lasts is an approach that aims to change communities’ and professionals’ responses to domestic abuse and the women experiencing it.

Developed by Welsh Women’s Aid and Women’s Aid Federation England, the approach promotes a needs-led, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to supporting survivors and their children. It includes work with communities (Ask Me), training for professionals (Trusted Professional) and support for women experiencing abuse (Specialist Support Services).

Change that Lasts empowers individuals to encourage survivors to seek help and challenges the conditions that enable abuse to begin in the first place.

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is a complementary and integrated strand of Change that Lasts, developed by Respect in partnership with Welsh Women’s Aid as an early response for men concerned about their behaviour towards women. It's delivered as a free short awareness raising course for men who are concerned about their behaviour towards women. Survivors are given parallel and separate support via an Integrated Specialist Service.

What does CLEAR aim to do?

The aim is to intervene with men as early as possible by raising awareness, supporting behavioural change and increasing accountability. Men can self-refer to CLEAR or can be referred by a professional as long as consent has been obtained. Sessions can be run on a one to one or group basis and are tailored to meet the needs of each individual

In 2021, Welsh Women’s Aid published an evaluation of Change that Lasts, including CLEAR.

Where is CLEAR available?

CLEAR is currently available in Cardiff and Vale, and Neath Port Talbot.

What do people say about CLEAR?

One client said,

"I would 100% recommend this course to anyone …………….I just wish I had been referred sooner as I may have been able to have a better relationship with my ex-partner and have more contact with my daughter"

One survivor said,

"Our relationship has massively improved,and we communicate well. We now listen to each other and talk more and have a much healthier relationship"

A domestic abuse professional said,

"CLEAR has provided an early route into specialist support for survivors, who previously are not known to services. It has also enabled specialist services to intervene and provide support and advice at a much earlier opportunity, without CLEAR this would not have been possible."