APCC Report: Perpetrator Intervention Programmes

Overview

This report provides a review of domestic abuse (DA) and stalking perpetrator intervention programmes commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales. It explores the provision, funding, monitoring, and evaluation processes, highlighting challenges and making recommendations for improvement. These programmes aim to disrupt abusive behaviour by raising awareness of healthy relationships, consent, and equality while helping perpetrators recognise and understand their abusive behaviour.

Key themes

• Funding Constraints: PCCs use multiple funding sources, including the Home Office’s Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Intervention Fund, policing budgets, and match funding from partners. However, long-term funding challenges limit service consistency.
• Availability of Services: While DA perpetrator programmes are widely commissioned, targeted interventions for stalking perpetrators remain inconsistent.
• Governance and Accountability: PCCs utilise multi-agency structures such as MARAC, MATAC, and DAPP to assess risk and safeguard victims, but strategic governance arrangements vary across areas.
• Victim Support: PCCs commission victim support services alongside perpetrator interventions, including Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and Independent Stalking Advocate Caseworkers (ISACs).
• Evaluation and Monitoring: While PCCs are committed to evaluating programmes, funding limitations impact the depth and consistency of evaluations.

Findings

• 27 PCCs reported receiving funding from the Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Intervention Fund (2023-25), though sustainability remains uncertain.
• 33 areas commission DA perpetrator intervention programmes, but only 15 commission DA-related stalking programmes, and 12 commission non-DA-related stalking interventions.
• 76% of PCCs reported undertaking or planning evaluations, using in-house or external assessments, literature reviews, and case studies.
• PCCs emphasise the importance of national standards for stalking perpetrator programmes to ensure consistency and quality.