What is CARA?
CARA sits within the criminal justice system as an early intervention targeting domestic abuse offenders meeting specific criteria to be issued with a Conditional Caution. Under the new two-tier policing framework CARA will be used for offenders receiving a Diversionary Caution.
CARA is a Domestic Abuse awareness raising intervention consisting of two workshops held 4 weeks apart.
CARA supports offenders to make better behaviour choices in their relationships.
CARA is not a perpetrator programme, cognitive behavioural therapy, anger management or a support group.
CARA promotes safety of offenders family through a linked victim contact service offering safeguarding and support.
History of CARA
In 2011 Hampshire Constabulary & Hampton Trust developed an intervention for lower risk, first time Domestic Abuse offenders.
From 2012 to 2014 Cambridge University led a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) for CARA, the first time a domestic abuse policing strategy had been trialled under experimental conditions. The resulting study indicated offenders who attended CARA were 35% less likely to be involved in Domestic Abuse re-offending when compared with the control group. For more information, The study can be accessed here.
Since then, CARA is now in nine police force regions in the UK: Hampshire, West Midlands, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Avon & Somerset, Dorset, West Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Thames Valley. Over 1500 offenders from these locations receive the intervention every year.
Birmingham University evaluation
CARA has recently been evaluated by Birmingham University. The report highlights how CARA is effective as a targeted early intervention for Domestic Abuse offenders. For more information, The study can be accessed here.
Learn more
For more information on Project CARA please visit www.ProjectCARA.org.uk
Emma Hazan, CARA Development Manager
Email: emma.hazan@hamptontrust.org.uk
Phone: 07399662225
Case Studies
See for yourself how the work of the Hampton Trust has transformed lives for the better
Physical and verbal violence towards their family has ended
D was referred to LINX and displaying a lot of verbal and physical aggression towards a family member on a daily basis. Through engagement with LINX D spent time evaluating how his behaviour impacts both on himself and others. We also focused on D’s self-esteem and goal aspirations; and throughout our work we have paid […]
Accessing local services for additional support
D received a Conditional Caution to attend CARA. D had split from his partner and had continued to contact her following their separation even though she had asked him to stop. D arrived at workshop early and in a high state of anxiety. D disclosed being extremely frightened of what the workshop was about and […]
Taking steps to address his behaviour
A received a Conditional Caution to attend CARA. A had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and was living with his partner. They had a daughter and a were expecting a second child. A engaged positively throughout workshop A, he was honest about the incident leading to arrest and said that he wanted to […]
Accessing additional support to make changes
C received a Conditional Caution to attend CARA. During the CARA sessions C engaged well and was reflective about his circumstances. He recognised stressors in his relationship associated to his habitual drug dependency and that he wanted to get help. C also disclosed childhood sexual abuse and recognised that he needed help to address this. […]
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