Web resource:	http://www.noviolence.com.au/public/forum2006/carolewillieannettehennessy.pdf
Type:	Conference Paper
Title:	Ending Family Violence Program Woorabinda
Other Titles:	Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum, Centre for Domest[cut]
Authors:	Willie, Carol Hennessy, Annette
Keywords:	Criminal justice responses;Restorative justice;Perpetrators;Indigenous issues;Drug and alcohol misuse
Year:	2006
Publisher:	Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research
Notes:	This paper outlines the programme developed for Indigenous offenders in domestic and family violence-related offending (breaching domestic violence orders and assaults), delivered by the Rockhampton Office of Community Corrections in Woorabinda. The aim is to divert offenders from violent offending to a culturally appropriate offender intervention programme. As there has been an increase in ‘mutual’ or ‘cross’ domestic violence orders, more women are subject to an order with breach charges against them. It suggests that female offenders seemed more prepared than male offenders to accept early intervention. The programme uses a healing circle approach: identifying the problem, admitting responsibility for the problem, dealing with it and planning for the future; and includes understanding different types of violence; understanding the impact of violence; looking at the influence of alcohol; alcohol and violence in families; consequences of violence; empowerment; and relapse prevention. An integral part of the programme is also to look at the risks of a dysfunctional community in relation to family violence. Myths about men’s rights are challenged. Power control issues, equality and non-violence are examined. The Ending Offending programme (a pre-requisite to the Ending Family Violence programme) looks at the effects of alcohol on the community. Reasons for violence but where alcohol is never an excuse are looked at. The outcomes of the programme are presented. The subject group is made up of 25 offenders, ordered to the programme over a period of 2.5 years. Male offenders comprised 3 with minor criminal history and 14 with violent or serious offending. Female offenders comprised 2 with no criminal history, 4 with minor history and 2 with violent or serious offending. 76% or 19 out of 25 of the offenders completed the Probation Orders. 30% of the offenders committed violent offences during the period of the Probation Order. During the period observed, 24% (6 out of 25) of the offenders ordered to attend the programme ceased offending; 36% (9 out of 25) ceased violent offending. Violent re-offending took place shortly after the programme completion and 12 or months after the programme completion. It suggests that the effect of the programme diminishes over time for some offenders, with 5 offenders re-offending after 9 months, and proposes that the programme could be improved with follow-up and support for offenders within 9 to 12 months after programme completion, as well as with a refresher course.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/20859
Physical description:	10p
Appears in Collections:	Conference Papers

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