- • though most of the literature and objectives review during the • though most of the literature and objectives review during the programme does not apply to me on my personal level. The course has enhanced my understanding of abuse, distinguishing between manipulation, compromising and end of abuse line'.
- • made me confident in the decisions that I was making i.e. I was not • made me confident in the decisions that I was making i.e. I was not being selfish but rather doing what was best for me and my child'.
- • feel more confident in being able to make a statement'. • feel more confident in being able to make a statement'.
- • shown me that I'm not alone, shown me what is wrong and giving me • shown me that I'm not alone, shown me what is wrong and giving me some sort of confidence in speaking out'.
- • am equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand myself better and • am equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand myself better and to be better prepared to recognise the warning signs of an abusive partner'.
- • Thinking through previous relationships and current relationship - enabling • Thinking through previous relationships and current relationship - enabling more self-confidence '.
- • helped identify a lot of things that have happened to me and actually • helped identify a lot of things that have happened to me and actually realising the tactics of the abuser and making sense of so many things. Also sharing experiences with the group has been very empowering. To know that you are not alone, this course should definitely be offered to anyone that has been subjected to domestic abuse. The course is priceless, but Sharon made it what it is and encouraged us all to open up and really talk about anything'.

### Overall rating of the usefulness of the programme by participants

100% of course participants listed the programme as being helpful with 11 of the participants saying they found it very helpful.

- • am looking forward to the last session, where I understand we will be • am looking forward to the last session, where I understand we will be speaking about red flags. I think this will make the programme much more helpful to me '.
- • I was unable to attend as many sessions as I had hoped I • I was unable to attend as many sessions as I had hoped I would be able to. I have read the written content on line, however it is never the same as the zoom sessions'.
- • helped hearing other experiences and identifying and understanding • helped hearing other experiences and identifying and understanding patterns of behaviour from the perpetrator'.
- • is power! Red flags, I feel it has given me the ability to make • is power! Red flags, I feel it has given me the ability to make educated decisions for future relationships'.
- • has helped me to see all the tactics used'. • has helped me to see all the tactics used'.
- • rate The Freedom Programme as very helpful as it has encouraged me to • rate The Freedom Programme as very helpful as it has encouraged me to reflect in a positive way'.
- • felt is was a safe space to open up about what happened to me so I knew • felt is was a safe space to open up about what happened to me so I knew people would understand and not judge me'.
- • is very helpful . From manipulation to very high risk abuse, where the • is very helpful . From manipulation to very high risk abuse, where the victim's safety is compromised'.
- • other's stories was helpful in recognising what I was experiencing • other's stories was helpful in recognising what I was experiencing was common tactics and not unique to me - I always felt as if I was exaggerating the abuse because all of the other people (police, social services etc) did not seem to acknowledge it'.