DOMESTIC abusers have been given a chance to stop them from offending again.
More than 1,000 people in the West Midlands have taken part in the early intervention scheme CARA which is designed to intervene early to challenge and change abusive behaviours.
The programme is paid for by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and run by Hampton Trust and gives offenders a chance to reflect on their behaviour, the impact it has caused and the need for change.
The scheme is designed for low level offenders and specifically targets people who have received a police caution or a community resolution order.
The initiative is delivered in close partnership with West Midlands Police and highlights how partners, children and other relationships suffer as a consequence of domestic abuse
The intervention, which is delivered by professionals in the form of workshops, also signposts the offender to long term offender programmes, drug and alcohol services and mental health schemes.
Chantal Hughes is the chief executive of Hampton Trust, she said: “If we are to stand any chance of reducing the risk to adult victims and children and break the cycle of domestic abuse and violence, we must engage with the offenders early and tackle the root cause of their actions.
“By holding them to account and helping them to change their behaviour we can prevent it from being passed down to future generations.
“CARA has shown to be an effective early tool for police in preventing abusive behaviours from becoming more entrenched and escalating.”
There is also a tailored course for female offenders.
Nicola Lloyd, the neighbourhood justice manager at West Midlands Police, said: “Not all victims want to press charges; all they want is for the behaviour to stop.
“CARA has proved incredibly valuable in allowing West Midlands Police to provide an effective positive outcome for these victims.
“Now we have CARA we can offer them options that not only reduce conflict in relationships, but also significantly reduce the risk of reoffending.
“Offenders are held to account for their actions and the structure of the course ensures it is not an easy option.”
