BACKGROUND

Victorian service provider Taskforce has developed an innovative early intervention for family violence (FV) program targeted at perpetrators who also have alcohol and other drug (AOD) use issues. Taskforce will run two 12-week programs for men focused on the intersection of FV and AOD use for men who are potential perpetrators and who are respondents on family violence intervention orders (FVIOs) in the civil space. This project is an evaluation of the "U-Turn" program as required by the National Outcome Standards for Perpetrator Interventions in the Australian Government's National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Their Children.

AIM

This project aims to produce an evaluation that will provide insight as to whether this new program is effective in increasing victim safety and reducing repeat court contact for men subject to their first FVIO and who have AOD use issues.

METHODS

Data instruments being used in the project include surveys, group observations, interviews and focus groups. Quantitative data is collected from program participants and affected family members (AFMs) at the time of men’s program entry (Wave 1) and exit (Wave 2). Additionally, a qualitative interview component is conducted with participants of the U-Turn program and AFMs at Wave 2. Further, qualitative feedback has been captured from key stakeholders in justice, mental health, FV and AOD services to examine the need for combined interventions in the FV and AOD space along with key benefits and challenges to consider when combining such interventions.

SIGNIFICANCE

This evaluation will provide evidence of the benefits and challenges associated with integrating FV and AOD treatment for perpetrators and give insight as to whether this new program is effective in increasing victim safety and reducing repeat court contact for men subject to their first FVIOs and who have AOD use issues. This evaluation will help us understand the demographic of perpetrators who access the program as well as which services certain demographics use and for how long. This type of information will assist Taskforce (and potentially other organisations involved in perpetrator interventions) in understanding the trends and patterns between perpetrators and service uptake.

PROJECT START DATE

February 2019

EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE

April 2021