For Young People (age 13-19)

Break the Cycle (BTC) is a service for young people aged between 13-19 years old and has been running since 2017. The project aims to promote and educate young people on healthy relationships.

BTC provides a Safe Lives accredited Children and Young People’s Domestic Violence Advisor (CYPVA) service for those experiencing abusive relationships. Our CYPVA service includes:

• Risk assessments
• Safety planning
• Support through criminal and civil justice system
• Advocacy within the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)
• Housing
• Support with social care and school

BTC also offers 1:1 support for those in recovery, which includes:

• Self-esteem work
• Building confidence
• Establishing boundaries and assertiveness
• Education about healthy relationships
• Helping understand the impact of trauma
• Coping strategies for mental health

Our team provides a school prevention programme, delivering class workshops on healthy relationships and the warning signs of controlling and abusive behaviour. These are offered as either a one-off session or a 6-8week programme, delivered in schools, colleges and alternate education and young people’s provisions.

The workshop content is tailored to the different Key Stages. The team also provides awareness training to professionals and teacher/support staff. BTC has delivered across the year groups in senior and primary schools/academies, alternate education providers, and youth groups across Southend.