Domestic Violence
Early stages in the development of the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP): implementing the Duluth Domestic Violence pathfinder Early stages in the development of the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP): implementing the Duluth Domestic Violence pathfinder
This Research Development and Statistics report presents the findings from the evaluation of the 'Duluth Domestic Violence' Programme. Two probation areas, West Yorkshire and London, are currently delivering the developmental programme to domestic violence perpetrators on 'Community Rehabilitation Orders' (CRO) and 'Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Orders' (CPRO) with conditions to attend. This report summarises the findings of this evaluation and offers a number of recommendations to inform the management and delivery of future programmes.
Title: Early stages in the development of the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP): implementing the Duluth Domestic Violence pathfinder
Author: Research Development and Statistics Directorate
Series:
Home Office Online Report 29/04
Number of pages: 17
Date published: July 2004
The 'Duluth Domestic Violence' Programme was modelled on the The Duluth project started in Duluth, Minnesota, United States in the 1980s. The programme was developed in the United Kingdom as the first probation-led pathfinder to treat domestic violence offenders and support the victims of these offenders. It is now known as the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP).
Summary
The original Duluth project was a comprehensive, community-based programme designed to intervene in domestic violence cases. The programme focused on challenging attitudes and beliefs associated with domestic violence and teaching social skills and empathy. It attempted to co-ordinate a response with the many agencies and practitioners who typically respond to domestic violence cases in the community.
An additional component of the project was the 24-week non-violence programme, designed to reduce the likelihood of their reoffending, that offenders who were court-ordered to the programme would attend. The project also contacted the partners of the men and offered a women's support group. Women who were arrested for using violence were also ordered to attend non-violence classes.
Programme Evaluation
In 2001 the National Probation Directorate (NPD) and the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate commissioned an evaluation of the 'Duluth Domestic Violence Programme' as a pathfinder. The research aims to describe priorities for effective implementation of the programme within England and Wales.
Conclusion
From this process evaluation of the 'Duluth Domestic Violence Programme', a number of important issues have emerged for analysis so an effective delivery of this programme within probation areas can be implemented nationwide. These include:
Context to facilitate successful implementation
The programme requires probation areas to invest a lot of staff time. The programme also has a significant administrative element that must be adequately staffed.
The team delivering the training should contain a mix of men and women. This gives the team the opportunity to set positive examples of relationships between men and women.
The extent of the role of the victim support worker, in relation to the programme, should be carefully considered at a local level.
Training
All staff related to the project, including administrators, would benefit from attending context-setting days, which highlight the main aspects of the programme and the nature of inter-agency communication.
In the light of these findings, it is suggested that additional support, either in the form of locally organised workshops or extended national training events, would help new programme teams.
Communication
A clear and formal protocol of communication, both within probation and between probation and outside agencies, should be established before implementation of the programme. This model should be specific and include police, women's groups and social services.
Last update: 21 July 2004