Challenging those who harm and giving them effective support to change
Why?
To effectively provide safety and support for those who are harmed, there must also be an increased focus on preventing the behaviour of those who harm others. We want to identify and stop harmful behaviour.
How?
To achieve this, we need to increase knowledge and understanding of abusive behaviour such that the tactics those who harm others use (such as minimising, justifying and blaming others) are understood and not colluded with. Specific skills recognised as motivational interviewing techniques rely on practitioners recognising an individual's motivational factors to hook them into a discussion about changing their behaviour. We need to ensure our workforce is skilled in motivational interviewing techniques as one of many tools to engage with those who harm.
We will develop a range of options of programmes that are based on a robust risk assessment process and effective engagement techniques. Where a person recognises the need to change and the desire to do so interventions will be offered on a voluntary and statutory basis. The programmes offered will be tailored to the needs of individuals and families and will be based on what we know works. Following the inspection report Her Majesty's Prison and Probation service agreed to identify and disseminate an effective, integrated pathway for working with domestic abuse that takes account of the full range of domestic abuse contexts and the need to protect victims and children. They provided a commitment to the use of evidence-based programmes.
Where a person identifies other issues that they require support to address we will seek to signpost to relevant services, e.g. mental health support and addiction support. We will seek to influence the development and delivery of the local Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy to ensure greater combined impact.
We will strive for enforcement of meaningful consequences for those who harm others. All services within the Criminal Justice system will enhance sensitive and effective practices. The Serious Crime Act 2015 gives effect to powers for police and law enforcement agencies to have the powers they need to effectively pursue, and bring to justice those who harm others through domestic abuse:
Cheshire Police will continue to utilise the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DWDS), commonly known as Claire's Law. It enables the police to disclose information to a person who is at risk of being domestically abused of their ex/partner abusive behaviour.