SERIAL perpetrators of domestic violence will be offered a chance to avoid jail through a new scheme aimed at reducing re-offending.
The pilot project in will see convicted offenders engage in an intensive therapeutic programme designed to alter their behaviour.
A judge will select eligible candidates to participate in the Probation Board for Northern Ireland scheme before passing sentence.
Successful completion of the initiative will then be factored in as a mitigating factor in the judge’s final deliberation on sentence.
Derry Magistrates’ Court has already earned a reputation for taking an innovative approach to domestic violence crimes, having created a dedicated court sitting for such offences.
Stormont’s Department of Justice hopes the latest initiative will encourage more victims to report such crimes, as they will know their partners may be given an opportunity to get help.
To avail of the programme, offenders must accept that their behaviour is “harmful, unacceptable and needs to change”.
Said Nick Perry, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice: “This innovative pilot is designed to challenge individuals to truly confront their offending behaviour.
“It will allow the judge to hold offenders directly accountable for their actions, to challenge them, and to support them to change.”
Offenders participating in the scheme will be required to update their judge on a monthly basis on their progress.
A maximum of 30 offenders will be able to participate in the pilot, which is expected to run for approximately nine months.
Dr Geraldine O’Hare from PBNI, said: “We must work with perpetrators of domestic violence if we are to challenge their behaviour and the choices they make, in order to reduce the number of victims in our society and make Northern Ireland a safe place to live.”
A specialist link worker from Women’s Aid will provide victims with practical support whilst their partner is engaged with the programme.
Marie Brown, director of Foyle Woman’s Aid, added: “A key aspect of the programme is to ensure that the victims of abuse within the family are supported.
“The protection of victims is paramount within this programme and the role of the link worker is specifically designed to carry out this task.”
