I have been asked about the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme that I am funding with money from the Home Office. Here is the report that recently went to the Police and Crime Panel from my office.
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR LEICESTERSHIRE
POLICE AND CRIME PANEL
Report of
OFFICE OF POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER (OPCC)
Subject
Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme Home Office Funding
Date
11/07/2023
Author
Charlotte Highcock, Commissioning Manager OPCC
Purpose of Report
- The purpose of this report is to provide an update to the panel regarding the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme located at the Jenkins Centre in Leicester, the funding acquired and the internal evaluation of the previous service.
Recommendation
- It is recommended that members comment on the contents of the report.
Background
- The Domestic Abuse Perpetrator programme for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) engages with men and women who are identified as using abusive behaviour in a relationship setting. The aim of this service is to reduce this type of behaviour and improve the safety of the victims, reduce the risk of this behaviour reoccurring and establishing an improvement in health and wellbeing for partners, ex-partners, children and the perpetrators themselves.
- The need for this service is still prevalent as shown by the data from the previous three quarters of a steady intake of referrals to this service from across the city and county districts. The service in the year 2021/2022 provided support to 189 perpetrators, 188 victims and 341 secondary/children victims.
- The service meets several objectives detailed in the Police and Crime Plan for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, regarding victim support, reduction of crime and compliments the local work on a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, whilst offering a renewed and novel approach to supporting the perpetrators in understanding and changing their behaviours.
- The previous contract expired on 31st March 2023 with the provider, FreeVa. The OPCC applied for funding from the Home Office in January 2023, and was informed that the application had been successful, for a new contract to start in April 2023.
- The funding period is from 1st April 2023 until 31st March 2023 and has been awarded to deliver an LLR reaching Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Service. Funding has been awarded in annual instalments as follows:
2023 – 2024: £370,083.00 in total
2024- 2025: £371,859.00 in total
Application
- To recap, the OPCC submitted a bid for one round of funding to maintain the work undertaken by the Jenkins Centre, with an additional element to the programmes on offer. Currently, there are a variety of programmes which would continue if funded is awarded, including the Foundations programme, the main Second Step programme, the Step-Up Dads programme, and the Partner Support service. To enhance the offering with this round of funding, the application has proposed the service be expanded to identify perpetrators who disclose their previous experiences of trauma, abuse or Adverse Childhood Experiences. FreeVa are unique in their position as the incumbent provider of this service and a key service partner in the delivery of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Service System across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Therefore, when a perpetrator discloses their experiences as part of the perpetrator programme(s), the new service will aim to identify their needs and refer on to their victim services on completion of the perpetrator programme.
Review
- At the end of the previous service, the Home Office requested an evaluation of the Jenkins Centre, in line with the aims and outcomes in the grant agreement. Attached to this report is the review that was sent to the Home Office, in line with the requirements. A further review will be conducted at the end of the new service provision.
Please refer to Appendix 1 – Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme LLR Evaluation
Conclusion
- The OPCC will continue to support the work of the Jenkins Centre for a further 2 years with Home Office funding and support. The Panel is welcome to request a further update in the future.
