Understanding the CARAP Intervention
Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a widespread and persistent social issue, with over 1.2 million incidents reported to the police in England and Wales annually. DVA has far-reaching impacts, leading to adverse health and social outcomes for victims, perpetrators, and their families. In response to the challenges faced by the criminal justice system in effectively supporting victims and preventing recurrent abuse, innovative interventions have emerged, such as Project Cautioning And Relationship Abuse Prevention (CARAP).
CARAP is a conditional caution offered by the police to adults involved in first-time offenses of DVA categorized as ‘standard’ or ‘medium’ risk. Under this model, offenders are required to attend two mandatory workshops that aim to increase their awareness of abusive behaviors and the safety of their partners and children. The workshops utilize a trauma-informed approach and motivational interviewing techniques, while also connecting offenders with services to address wider determinants of their offending behavior, such as mental health, substance misuse, or unemployment.
Unlike traditional restorative justice approaches, CARAP is specifically designed as an awareness-raising intervention, focusing on behavior change rather than victim-offender mediation. This novel approach has generated significant interest, as it seeks to disrupt the cycle of domestic abuse through early intervention, rather than relying solely on the criminal justice system’s ability to deter or rehabilitate perpetrators.
Evaluating the Nationwide Implementation of CARAP
While initial quasi-experimental studies have indicated that CARAP shows promise in reducing reoffending, a comprehensive national evaluation has been lacking. The current study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), aims to address this gap by conducting a mixed-methods evaluation of CARAP following its wider rollout across multiple police force areas in England and Wales.
The research team, led by Dr. Sara Morgan from the University of Southampton, is collaborating with police forces, commissioners, and service providers in Avon & Somerset, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Thames Valley, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire to gain a national understanding of CARAP’s impact. The study employs a concurrent pragmatic mixed-methods design, combining quantitative analysis of police data with in-depth qualitative interviews with CARAP participants, partners (or ex-partners), and professional stakeholders.
Quantitative Analysis: Assessing the Impact on Recidivism and Crime Severity
The quantitative component of the study utilizes a propensity score matching (PSM) approach to create comparable control groups and evaluate the impact of CARAP on recidivism and crime severity. Researchers are examining data from multiple police force areas to:
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Understand Individual-level Changes: Conduct a propensity score matched cohort study to examine changes in recidivism and reoffending among CARAP participants compared to a control group.
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Analyze Population-level Effects: Employ interrupted time series models to assess the impact of CARAP’s introduction on the incidence and severity of DVA at the population level.
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Explore Subgroup Differences: Analyze whether the effects of CARAP differ for specific offender subgroups, such as by age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
The quantitative analysis leverages a range of outcome measures, including the number of re-offenses, the number of re-arrests, and the severity of crimes using both the Cambridge Crime Harm Index and the Office for National Statistics’ Crime Severity Score. This multifaceted approach allows the researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of CARAP’s impact on various aspects of DVA.
Qualitative Insights: Exploring Experiences and Perceptions
The qualitative component of the study is designed to provide a deeper understanding of CARAP from the perspectives of key stakeholders. Researchers are conducting in-depth interviews with three distinct participant groups:
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CARAP Participants: Offenders who have attended the CARAP workshops, as well as those who have received a simple caution or no further action.
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Partners/Ex-partners: Victims and survivors of domestic abuse whose partners (or former partners) have participated in CARAP.
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Professional Stakeholders: Police staff, commissioners, CARAP facilitators, and representatives from third-sector organizations involved in the delivery and support of CARAP.
The qualitative interviews aim to explore the lived experiences of those involved in CARAP, delving into their perceptions, motivations, and the perceived impact of the intervention. By adopting an interpretivist and phenomenological approach, the researchers seek to understand how CARAP is experienced and whether it leads to meaningful behavior change and improved outcomes for victim-survivors.
Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Findings
The concurrent mixed-methods design allows the research team to triangulate the quantitative and qualitative data, providing a comprehensive understanding of CARAP’s implementation, effectiveness, and the mechanisms driving its impact. The researchers will develop an overarching logic model to illustrate the anticipated outcomes and the contextual factors influencing the intervention’s success.
Additionally, the study will include a health economic evaluation to assess the cost-benefits of CARAP, considering factors such as the costs of delivering the intervention, the savings associated with reduced recidivism, and the potential impact on health and social care resources.
Implications and Dissemination
The findings of this national evaluation of CARAP are expected to have significant implications for policy and practice. The research team will engage with key stakeholders, including parliamentary groups, the Home Office, and the Ministry of Justice, to ensure that the evidence informs decision-making and potential changes to legislation, regulations, and guidelines related to the use of conditional cautions for domestic violence and abuse.
The researchers also plan to disseminate their findings through academic publications, presentations at national and international conferences, and the production of a plain-language summary report. By involving victim-survivor and offender groups throughout the research process, the study aims to ensure that the insights generated are relevant, accessible, and beneficial to the communities most affected by domestic abuse.
Conclusion
The national evaluation of Project CARAP represents a significant step forward in understanding the effectiveness of this innovative intervention in addressing the complex issue of domestic violence and abuse. By combining rigorous quantitative analysis with in-depth qualitative insights, the research team is poised to provide a comprehensive assessment of CARAP’s impact, informing policy decisions and the development of more effective strategies to prevent and respond to domestic abuse. As the project progresses, the IT Fix community will eagerly await the findings and their implications for improving the lives of victims, perpetrators, and their families across England and Wales.
