Introduction: Interventions related to the perpetration of Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) have gained traction over the past several years, in response to dissatisfaction by victims, an inadequate response from the criminal justice system, increased demand on police time and a lack of rehabilitative responses to the perpetration of domestic abuse. The CARA model is a conditional diversionary caution, offered by police for first time offenders of 'standard' or 'medium risk' domestic abuse, that engages perpetrators in awareness raising workshops and signposts them onto further services. Although quasi-experimental studies have indicated that CARA showed promise at reducing reoffending, the CARA model has yet to be evaluated nationally and there is no qualitative evidence related to understanding or learning about the lived experience of perpetrators and victims as they engage with the intervention.
Methods: Using a concurrent pragmatic mixed methods design model we will undertake a national evaluation of CARA by triangulating quantitative data from up to nine police forces, and routine data from service providers, with qualitative data from workshop participants, victims and professional stakeholders to: (1) understand the long-term impact of CARA implementation on DVA reoffending and engagement with services and (2) explore perceptions and experiences of both delivery and receipt of CARA. We will use qualitative methodologies that draw on interpretivist and phenomenological perspectives, as well as quantitative methodologies using interrupted time series models, Poisson regression models, Geo mapping and a cost benefits analysis.
Ethics and dissemination: Where currently the CARA model is being introduced as a national option for standard risk first-time offending, we will engage with policymakers and academics nationally in the live debate on its effectiveness and suitability during its roll-out. Ethical approval was approved by the University of Southampton on the 1 st June 2022 (Ref: ERGO ID: 71818.A1).
Keywords: Domestic violence and abuse; diversionary cautions; perpetrator workshops; prevention.
Over 2 million incidents relating to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) were reported to the police in England and Wales in the year leading up to March 2023. DVA leads to poor health and social outcomes for both victims and perpetrators. Consultation suggests that the system is struggling to support victims of domestic abuse and prevent repeat offending. Hampshire were keen to test an intervention that would improve outcomes for victims and their families. They developed a conditional diversionary caution called CARA offered by the police to those who have committed a crime related to domestic violence and abuse for the first time, where the incident was considered as ‘standard’ according to a domestic abuse risk checklist and professional judgement. Offenders are required to undertake two mandatory workshops that increase awareness of their behaviour and the safety of partners and children. They are further signposted onto services that support improvements in their health and social care needs that may contribute towards their offending behaviour. CARA cautions are now being offered across several regions. However, we don’t understand how offenders and victims feel about this intervention and we don’t know whether engagement in CARA leads to change in abusive behaviours over a longer period, such as 12 months after the intervention. We will interview offenders, victims and those involved in delivering CARA. We will aim to understand what worked and what didn’t work. We will look at what happens to offenders and the costs associated with this and examine whether there may be any differences in outcomes for those of different ethnic backgrounds or from different areas. To develop this plan, we consulted with both victim and offender groups. We will consult with both groups to improve our methodology, data collection and how we share our results with the public.
Copyright: © 2024 Morgan SA et al.