Evaluating the effectiveness of domestic abuse and stalking perpetrator intervention programmes in Kent & Medway: A multi-agency approach

Canterbury Christ Church University was commissioned by Kent Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to conduct an independent evaluation on the impact of the newly established multi-agency perpetrator intervention programmes for tackling domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and stalking in Kent and Medway.

In collaboration with Kent police, the Kent OPCC commissioned Look Ahead (a victims/survivors service) to provide support to victims of domestic violence and abuse in 2021 and Interventions Alliance (a perpetrator support service) to deliver two behavioural change programmes to perpetrators of domestic abuse and/or of stalking as part of a multi-agency approach to tackling DVA and stalking behaviours.
Additionally, the multi-agency partnership sought to consider how domestic abuse and stalking offences are managed and how to enhance the safety of/and reduce the risk of harm towards victims/survivors.

The funding to deliver the programme(s) was awarded by the UK Home Office as part of strategic approaches to address domestic abuse.

The partnership centred around the delivery of two perpetrator intervention programmes delivered by Interventions Alliance:
1. Healthy Relationships: A behavioural change programme designed for perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse
2. Compulsive Obsessive Behaviour Intervention (COBI): A stalking intervention programme.

Both programmes were established to provide early intervention and aimed to address the repeat offending of perpetrators of abuse and stalking.
The aims of the multi-agency partnership were to:
1. Reduce the frequency, risk and gravity of abuse and stalking behaviours

2. Improve the safety and protection for victims (including children)

3. Help individuals gain a better understanding of what it means to be in a healthy and respectful relationship, and the means to achieve this.

The evaluation adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data to assess the partnership’s impact.

Findings indicate that multi-agency collaboration contributes positively to both the safeguarding of victims/survivors and the behavioural change of perpetrators. However, the evaluation also identified areas where risk remained or was likely to re-emerge. These findings suggest that while initial behavioural change can be achieved, additional and sustained support for perpetrators is essential to ensure long-term impact and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.