Community Domestic Violence Programme (CDVP)

This page gives details of the Community Domestic Violence Programme run by probation staff for offenders throughout Thames Valley.

CDVP can form part of a Community Order or a post-release prison licence.


Programme aims:

• To provide a structured groupwork programme which seeks to reduce the risks of re-offending
  
• To reduce the risk of violent crime and abusive behaviour towards women in relationships by helping perpetrators change their behaviour
  
• To encourage offenders to take responsibility for their violence and to develop non-abusive ways of behaving
  
• To give offenders a greater sense of personal responsibility for their violence
  
• To help offenders accept that they exercise choice in the way they behave.
  

• Male offenders convicted of violent attacks on their female partners
  
• Any offender already known to the Probation Service who acknowledges that violence is a feature of his relationships and is motivated to change his behaviour
  
• Offenders convicted of offences which stop short of direct physical violence but have the same intention (eg: threats to kill, harassment, kidnap, malicious calls, threatening behaviour or criminal damage).
  

It is not suitable for:

• Female offenders
• Sex offenders
  

The programme involves:

• A personal relapse prevention strategy for each participant.
• 26-28 groupwork sessions (each lasting for 2 hours)
• Individual meetings with your Supervising Officer to prepare for the programme
• You will be assessed at the beginning and end of the programme to see what progress you have made.
  

Partners:
Partners of violent offenders will be offered separate and confidential advice and will, on request, be given information about the offender's progress

If an offender's partner is judged to be in danger, programme leaders will inform her

Referral to counselling and support services can be arranged.


Thames Valley Probation Area has a strict National Standards enforcement policy in relation to the Community Domestic Violence Programme.

Thames Valley Probation Area operates a race equality scheme. It will also carry out its responsibility to provide access and facilities for the physically disabled.