Call made for perpetrator strategy
More than 70 organisations, academics and police and crime commissioners have signed a letter asking the government to invest in programmes and other measures to reform perpetrators’ violent behaviour and so keep victims and families safe.
The call has been led by Drive which works with service providers delivering local intervention in domestic violence cases.
The national organisation says less than 1% of perpetrators currently receive specialist help to challenge or change their behaviour. But when Drive and partners intervene, the organisation claims, high levels of physical abuse fall by 82%, sexual abuse by 88%, harassment and stalking by 75%, and jealous and controlling behaviours reduced by 73%.
Drive’s director Kyla Kirkpatrick described government plans to reintroduce the Domestic Abuse Bill to Parliament as an important first step, but added: “A huge piece of the puzzle is still missing – a strategic approach to perpetrators, the people who cause harm.”
In supporting the proposed strategy, Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs said: “Current prevention work is patchy and too often perpetrators go unchallenged and are not offered opportunities to change their abusive behaviour.”
