New multi-agency approach to target domestic abuse perpetrators across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

More adult and child survivors of domestic abuse will be better protected thanks to the roll out of a flagship intervention programme targeting high-risk perpetrators across Cambridgeshire.  

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said the county is the latest area to introduce The Drive Project to address the root causes of domestic abuse through intensive, one-to-one intervention.  

The programme will be delivered by Red Snapper Managed Services and is being launched as part of a multi-agency partnership involving Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Probation Service.  

Through the scheme, specially trained case managers will work closely with high-risk perpetrators for several months with the aim of building their capacity to manage emotions and relationships differently and remove opportunities for abuse through close monitoring and disruption tactics.  

Interventions will be tailored according to each perpetrator’s risk level and will involve a co-ordinated multi agency response. 

Survivors, meanwhile, will receive dedicated emotional and practical support and safety planning via the county’s two local Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) services through two new posts. 

The nationally recognised project is being funded by the Home Office following a successful bid by the Commissioner’s Office. It is part of the government’s VAWG Strategy to half violence against women and girls in a decade.  

The evidence-led scheme, which exclusively targets domestic abuse perpetrators who pose the most risk to their victims, children and communities, brings together staff from a range of local agencies to challenge them to change their behaviour and stop offending. 

Darryl said: “Victims are at the heart of everything I do as Commissioner. The roll out of this flagship project will support the work already underway across Cambridgeshire to manage risk and break the cycle of abuse to protect victims and ensure perpetrators are rightly held accountable for their actions. 

“It will also enhance the support already available to ensure vulnerable victims of these harrowing crimes can cope, recover and move on with their lives.  

"In Cambridgeshire, we already have a strong track record of successful partnership working and the introduction of this project will enable us to build on these strong foundations.  

“Violence against women and girls is at epidemic levels nationally. We owe it to all survivors and future victims to do better, and this project is a significant step forward in meeting our collective ambitions.” 

Perpetrators suitable for the programme will be identified and referred to the scheme via multi-agency arrangements. Targeted support will be provided via Red Snapper Managed Services.  

Jonathan Hussey, managing director of Red Snapper Managed Services, added: “We are proud to have been chosen to deliver the Drive Project in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  

“Drive holds the people causing harm to account, disrupting their behaviour and, wherever possible, changing it for good. 

“As a former probation officer, I have seen what happens when high-harm perpetrators go unchallenged. This model is different because it combines intensive case management with the full weight of the partnership, from the Constabulary to local authorities and specialist services.  

“Our team will be working with the highest-risk individuals in the county, and we look forward to seeing the difference we can make alongside local services.” 

Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council will host the two new IDVA posts.