Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:48. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rehabilitation programmes currently in place for perpetrators of domestic violence offences. [21152/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 4 May 2017
Ceisteanna (48)
Freagraí scríofa
Domestic violence perpetrator programmes in Ireland are delivered through a combination of non-governmental organisations and the Probation Service. Currently programmes run in 14 locations with more programmes due to come on stream later this year.
The key aims of the programmes include the following:
- to reduce violent and controlling behaviour by perpetrators who undertake the programme resulting in improved safety and quality of life for their partners and their children.
- the development of a partnership approach between women's support service providers and those delivering perpetrator programmes.
- the operation, as appropriate, of a rehabilitation focused community alternative to prison.
Building on the work carried out in this area under the first National Strategy, the current National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 includes actions to:
- put in place a uniform risk assessment system across programmes
- develop a national intervention programme.
- develop a group-work programme for partners and ex-partners of perpetrators on the programme.
Work is in train or has been completed in relation to many of these actions. For example, the risk assessment tool is now in place with programme staff trained in it. In conjunction with work on risk assessment, the implementation of an intervention model known as the Choices Programme, is being advanced with training in this model currently underway with the providers of the perpetrator programmes. The intention is that this intervention model will be rolled out as the uniform national programme to be delivered by all domestic violence perpetrator programmes during 2017/2018. Work on the delivery of a group programme for partners and ex-partners to augment all of this work will also be further progressed over the next 18 months.
Looking further ahead, it is anticipated that demand for placement on programmes will increase due to the proposed changes in the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 which provide that a court when making a safety order, a barring order or an emergency barring order may recommend that a respondent engage with a programme for perpetrators of domestic violence. In that context it is intended to establish further programmes over the lifetime of the National Strategy.