Evaluation of the national domestic violence training programme 2005-2008
Table of contents
Introduction
1. The first national CPS domestic violence training programme was developed through the CPS' Domestic Violence Project, which ran between 2003 and 2005. The programme was launched in February 2005, alongside the revised Policy and Guidance on Prosecuting Case of Domestic Violence. The development and launch of the programme reflected the increasingly high priority afforded to domestic violence within the organisation.
2. The training programme was developed in conjunction with CENTREX (Now incorporated into and known as the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA)), in order to ensure co-ordinated training across the police and the CPS. The programme was available as a CD Rom, a paper copy, as well as being available on the Infonet. The training was directed at all prosecutors, associate prosecutors and caseworkers and all these staff received an individual copy of the CD Rom for their own use.
3. In 2007, 2 Areas who had completed their training were evaluated in order to assess the following:
- the overall effectiveness of the training;
- feedback from the delegates; and
- consistency of training across Areas.
The overwhelming message from the 2 visits was that the training had been positively received, although some areas for improvement were also identified.
4. This final evaluation report provides a more in depth assessment of the training programme, based on focus groups and questionnaires completed by Area Domestic Violence Co-ordinators, questionnaires completed by specialist domestic violence court partners and focus groups held with community partners as part of the revision of the CPS Policy on Prosecuting Cases of Domestic Violence.
Methodology
1. The sampling strategy was designed in order to be able to obtain data from a range of sources. Although the model chosen was based on ease of access to participants, it produced valuable data from both internal and external stakeholders.
2. The 2 main questions for this evaluation were:
- did the domestic violence training help to improve the prosecution of domestic violence cases?
- did the domestic violence training change attitudes to domestic violence within the organisation?
3. The qualitative data was obtained from 2 focus groups held with Area Domestic Violence Co-ordinators (DVCs). These groups took place in London and York and there were 7 respondents in total. The respondents in both focus groups had at least 15 years experience- collectively as DVCs and a number of them had experience of the organisation before the national training programme was rolled out. There were 2 further focus groups held as part of the consultation process for revising the CPS Policy and Guidance on Prosecuting Cases of Domestic Violence. There were 12 respondents and they were asked questions around the efficacy of the training programme also. In addition to these face to face meetings, questionnaires were sent out to all 43 Area Domestic Violence Co-ordinators (DVCs) and 60 Specialist Domestic Violence Court partners (SDVCs). 12 Questionnaires were received from the DVCs and 14 from the SDVCs. However, the relatively small sample size is a limitation to this evaluation and the findings should be approached with caution, in order to avoid unsubstantiated generalisations.
In order to maintain the anonymity of the respondents, the DVCs and SDVC partners who answered by questionnaire have been assigned a number. Those who attended focus groups will be identified by reference to the location of the focus group and a number.
4. The quantitative data on performance provided a useful background within which to situate the findings from the focus groups and questionnaires. The quantitative data used is national aggregate data, which provides valuable information about the trend of successful outcomes in domestic violence cases. The findings from the qualitative data provide the 'missing piece' of the picture in terms of why there has been such a marked improvement in domestic violence outcomes.
Data analysis
1. The quantitative data used for this evaluation was obtained from COMPASS (the CPS computer system).
Domestic violence outcomes:
| Time frame | Volume of cases | % successful | % un-successful | Dis-continued cases | Bind overs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2007-08 | 16,368 | 70.7% | 29.3% | 22.9% | 5.3% |
| 2007-08 | 63,819 | 68.9% | 31.1% | 24.7% | 6.6% |
| 2006-07 | 57,361 | 65.2% | 34.8% | 27.9% | 9.6% |
| 2005-06 | 49,782 | 59.7% | 40.3% | 33.0% | 14.9% |
| 2004-05 | 34,839 | 55.0% | 45.0% | 37.0% | 18.2% |
From the table above, it is clear that there has been a steady increase in the number of domestic violence cases being prosecuted. There has also been a clear, year on year improvement in terms of successful outcomes.
2. However, in order to identify the impact of the domestic violence training programme, it was clear that some qualitative data would also need to be gathered. The sources of this data have been outlined above and this section will focus on the actual findings from the focus groups and the questionnaires. This section will reiterate the research questions and provide answers from the data which was gathered.
3. Did the domestic violence training help to improve the prosecution of domestic violence cases?
Overall, the respondents from the DVC focus groups in London and York and the DVC questionnaires were positive about the training and reported that the training had had a positive impact on prosecution outcomes.
"...Good. More willing to think outside the box to support a prosecution with evidence from other sources than the victim".
DVC 4
"...More inventive and pro active approach"
DVC 3
However, one respondent did highlight the fact that it is difficult to isolate training as the only source of improvement in the prosecution of domestic violence cases. Furthermore, 2 DVCs indicated that they could not be sure that the training had impacted on prosecution outcomes.
"...To be honest, I am not sure that it has had an impact on prosecution outcomes".
DVC 5
The responses from external SDVC partners was less positive, with less than half of them agreeing that the training had had a positive effect on prosecution outcomes. They also felt that it was difficult to isolate training as the sole reason for the improvement.
...Overall it is difficult to say. There has been a significant improvement in the attrition rate, but that could equally (and more validly) be due to the IDVA, the Witness Care Unit, my case progression officer and a police commitment to positive action, not to mention the support provided by the community safety partnership to families of abusers"
SDVC respondent 6
This response echoes the comments made by about half of the respondents who attended the focus groups on the revision of the CPS Policy on Prosecuting Cases of Domestic Violence. Whilst they agreed that the training had probably had a positive impact, they had not necessarily observed it in their day to day work.
The marked difference in response between CPS staff and external partners could reflect a difference in perception and ways of measuring success. The CPS staff in the main, identified training as the key factor in improving prosecution outcomes and the improvement in the figures would seem to bear this out. This could be due to the fact that as the trainers, they were able to identify a change in staff after the training had taken place and track how that change followed through in charging and other decisions. However, external partners, working in a multi agency context may see the improvement in terms of a multi agency approach, rather than the work of one agency.
4. Did the domestic violence training change attitudes to domestic violence within the organisation?
The response from internal staff and external partners was much more similar on this question. Amongst the DVCs, there was a nearly unanimous view that training had resulted in a positive change in the attitude of colleagues.
...It has had a huge impact on the attitudes of my colleagues. They treat DV cases much more seriously than they used to. They are more sympathetic and they are more determined to achieve a successful outcome."
DVC 5
...Invaluable – it gave myself and my co-trainer a chance to explain the Policy and the need to have a consistent approach to tackling DV- it has changed the way cases are proceeded with- the defence now know we don't just drop DV cases because the victim doesn't wish to give evidence."
DVC 12
However, an unintended consequence was noted by an attendee at the York focus group.
"...people will punish us for making them take the training, by making us charge everyone"
York Focus Group attendee
This was a theme that had been raised during the first half of the training, with some prosecutors being under the mistaken impression that they had to charge all domestic violence cases as a result of the revised Policy and Guidance and training programme. This was subsequently resolved through the Proactive Prosecutor Programme as well as internal communications, stressing the need for all cases to be reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
The feedback from SDVC partners was also very positive.
"...A greater understanding by prosecutors of how perpetrators can manipulate the system and therefore less leniency with defence solicitors, particularly in relation to requests for changes to bail conditions."
SDVC respondent 2
"...the prosecutors show a more sophisticated understanding of domestic violence and attempt to use this in making representations to the court, e.g. use of personal victim statements, objections to bail or amending police bail, use of previous like convictions, special measures, bad character notices etc."
SDVC respondent 7
However, one of the SDVC respondents made it clear that in spite of the training, there are still some prosecutors whose attitudes have not shifted at all in relation to domestic violence.
The responses to this question underline the importance of prosecutors not just having legal knowledge, but also being aware of the dynamics of domestic violence, in order to provide a high quality service to victims. A further important issue that was highlighted by 5 SDVC partners is that they would have liked to have been involved in delivering the training. They felt that it was important in terms of establishing good working relationships with the CPS and an opportunity to share their expertise.
"...the training could have been vital for establishing good working relationships with the CPS and in providing an understanding of our roles as IDVAs. It would also allow us to provide a victim perspective of the court processes and how the CJS could better facilitate victims."
SDVC respondent 1
Conclusion
In recent years, CPS data has demonstrated considerable success in prosecuting cases of domestic violence. Whilst training has undoubtedly had an impact on prosecution outcomes, it is not possible to attribute the improved performance to training alone.
There is however, clearer evidence that the training had a positive impact on most prosecutors' attitudes to domestic violence and this was commented on by the majority of the internal staff and external partners.
In conclusion, it is recommended that domestic violence training continue to be delivered within the organisation and that external partners are invited to participate in that training. The involvement of external partners will help to increase confidence in the prosecution process and also give prosecutors valuable insight into the dynamics that underpin domestic violence.
