A new culturally specific domestic abuse programme co-designed by South Asian-led organisations is being launched in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Bradford, marking a significant shift in how harmful behaviours are addressed within the community.

The Changing Harmful Attitudes and Behaviour (CHAB) programme is the result of collaboration between H.O.P.E CIC, Sikh Women’s Aid, Pegasus Ltd, and the Halo Project. Grounded in grassroots consultation, the initiative has been developed by “by and for” organisations services led by South Asian communities to address issues that disproportionately affect them.

Running from February 2025 to April 2026, CHAB is a rare example of an intervention that specifically targets perpetrators of domestic abuse within South Asian contexts, aiming to create long-term change by acknowledging and addressing the cultural, religious and racial dynamics at play.

Speaking about the programme’s aims, Meena Kumari, Director at H.O.P.E CIC, said: “This programme addresses the critical need for culturally specific interventions that understand and are tailored to the unique dynamics within South Asian communities. Creating interventions by our community, for our community, we are taking a crucial step toward long-lasting change.”

The programme forms part of the Drive Partnership’s National Systems Change work and is the first of its kind to draw from lived experience and specialist expertise within South Asian communities. It takes a dual approach: working directly with those who exhibit harmful behaviours, while ensuring that survivors are safeguarded throughout the process.

Yasmin Khan, CEO of the Halo Project, emphasised the importance of holding perpetrators to account within culturally sensitive frameworks: “Too often, perpetrators of domestic and honour-based abuse evade accountability due to a lack of tailored interventions. 

This pilot is a groundbreaking step in ensuring perpetrators are challenged and supported to change their behaviour, while survivors receive the specialist safeguarding and advocacy they need.”

Education is also a core element of the programme, seen as essential to shifting attitudes and equipping individuals with the knowledge to identify and address abuse.

In Bradford, the programme will be delivered as a feasibility trial by Pegasus Ltd, whose Director Imran Manzoor has over a decade of experience working with South Asian men in therapeutic settings.

Mr Manzoor said: “It is crucial that South Asian communities are afforded this opportunity to air, reflect critically, and be challenged on harmful attitudes and behaviours in a space that is cognisant of the cultural, religious and racial factors at play.”

Alongside the intervention, Sikh Women’s Aid will provide dedicated support to survivors whose partners are enrolled in the programme.

Suki Kaur, Trustee of Sikh Women’s Aid said: “While this programme works to change harmful behaviours, our priority will be to safeguard survivors, provide specialist support, and ensure their voices remain central.”

Dr Ikram Butt, who joined a panel of guest speakers at the programme’s launch, called the intervention “vital and timely,” praising its ambition to tackle root causes.

He said: “By working with perpetrators and centring survivor safety, it lays the groundwork for lasting, systemic change. We need more initiatives like this rooted in partnership, led by community, and powered by purpose.”

Information sessions about the CHAB programme are currently being held both online and in-person for professionals and community members seeking to learn more.