Eich cyf/Your ref

Ein cyf/Our ref – NA001

9^th November 2022  

Dear committee members,

I am glad that you found our session on the 17^th October useful. In response to your query, please find below information relating to VAWDASV Perpetrator programmes.

Most perpetrator programmes for domestic abuse and for sexual violence are delivered by HMPPS in community and custody settings. There are none for other forms of violence against women. The majority of programmes are for people who have been convicted of a domestic abuse or sexual violence offence and are delivered through HMPPS or programmes aligned to this.

The efficacy of the statutory provision has limited evidence though they are accredited programmes. The DRIVE programme, which has had substantial evaluation is provided in some areas of Wales including Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil and is delivered alongside the statutory interventions. For this programme people subject to probation supervision can also be required attend DRIVE . This programme is for high-risk perpetrators of domestic abuse and referrals only come through the Domestic Abuse MARAC process.  

Perpetrator programmes provided for lower levels of risk for domestic abuse have less evidence regarding outcomes and impact. These programmes may be at the request of Social Services and on the basis of a requirement of a child protection plan. There can be a consequence to non-engagement in the form of limited child contact or children being subject to care proceedings. Other programmes are delivered via voluntary engagement. Overall, this leads to much lower levels of attendance and this can have an impact on the costs of the programme versus the return. Programmes of this sort are limited, with insecure funding for those currently delivered.

Whole family interventions should also be considered within perpetrator programmes. Barnardo’s ran their Opening Closed Doors programme until October 31^st of this year. This provided support and interventions for the survivor, perpetrator and any children. This programme was funded by the Home Office under the Children Affected by Domestic Abuse Fund. This fund continues but there is none of this funding allocated to any Welsh programmes currently.

When considering interventions for perpetrators programmes that target wider groups with an early intervention and prevention approach should be considered. This may be one of the most cost-effective ways to tackle perpetration. This includes community education programmes and Bystander Initiatives. These are particularly appropriate for interventions among adolescents and young adults. The Violence Prevention Unit Systematic Evidence Assessment provides some useful insight into tested programmes https://www.violencepreventionwales.co.uk/cms-assets/research/What-Works-to-Prevent-Violence-against-Women-Domestic-Abuse-and-Sexual-Violence-Systematic-Evidence-Assessment_2021-09-20-124755_aypz.pdf

Evidence building and evaluation of perpetrator programmes is an area for further development that will be undertaken as part of the new VAWDASV Strategy implementation and through the Sustainable Commissioning workstream of the developing VAWDASV Blueprint in Wales.   

Kind Regards,

Johanna Robinson/Yasmin Khan

Cynghorydd Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Trais yn erbyn Menywod, Trais arall ar Sail Rhywedd, Camdrin Domestig a Thrais Rhywiol /

National Advisers for Violence against Women, other forms of Gender-Based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence