NCJ Number
240255
Date Published
September 2012
Length
184 pages
Annotation
This report from the Australian Institute of Criminology reviews the Family Violence Intervention Program in the Australian Capital Territory.
Abstract
The Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) provides an interagency response to matters of family violence that have been investigated by the police and forwarded to the courts for prosecution. The report used information obtained from interviews with key stakeholders and agency data from 2007 to 2008 to examine the program's activities and outcomes. Review of the FVIP found that 1) the program is effective in establishing relationships between agencies and ensuring that they work cooperatively; 2) the breadth of services provided by FVIP agencies has contributed to the perceived safety and protection of victims of family violence; 3) offender accountability has increased as a result of the program; and 4) FVIP agencies have continued to implement a range of practices to improve the criminal justice system's response to family violence. Along with the study's methodology and the problem of family violence in the ACT, the report discusses 22 recommendations aimed at guiding the continued improvement of the program. These recommendations fall under four broad categories: working cooperatively together, maximizing safety and protection for victims of family violence, providing opportunities for offender accountability and rehabilitation, and working towards continual improvement of the Family Violence Intervention Program. Figures, tables, references, and appendixes