STRUCTURED INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC ABUSE. (SIADA)
Information for Sentencers.
What is SIADA?
SIADA is a structured piece of work which aims to address the behaviour of perpetrators of Domestic Abuse against partner’s or ex partners. It is considered where an offender is not suitable for theIntegrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP) and can be delivered on an individual or small group basis.
Who is it suitable for?
The ‘structured intervention to address domestic abuse’ workbook can be used for the followingcategories of offenders:-
- High or very high risk offenders – who have been assessed as unsuitable for IDAP because they require an interpreter, have unusual working hours, or their period of supervision is shorter than the time it would take to complete IDAP.
- Medium risk of harm offenders – who have under the auspices of an activity requirement or a licence requirement, been directed to complete the ‘structured intervention to address domestic abuse’.
It is also a valuable resource for use with:
- Offenders on supervision, where there is information to suggest they are domestic abuse perpetrators, although they have no domestic abuse-related convictions. However, they accept some responsibility for their actions and demonstrate an awareness of the possibility to change.
Who is it not suitable for?
The requirement is unsuitable for offenders:
- In complete denial
- With severe acute mental illness who are unlikely to be able to apply learning. Offenders with current psychological problems and offenders with psychopathic or other psychiatric concerns.
What does SIADA involve?
SIADA consists of an introductory session, 8 further intensive sessions and a further two follow up sessions:-
Session 1- offenders to understand that their violence is part of a wide spectrum of abusive behaviour which aims to exert power and control over their partner.
Session 2 –increase offenders’ motivation to change.
Session 3 and 4 –offenders begin to analyse their own abusive behaviour
Session 5- offenderslearn to identify the build up of thoughts, emotions and physical changes that may precede an assault.
Session 6 –offenders to look for strategies for dealing with the thoughts, emotions and physical changes prior to assaulting their partner.
Session 7 – help offenders understand they can argue or disagree with their partners without being abusive and to help them understand the rules needed to achieve this.
Session 8– review what they have learned and to add to the action plan for the future.
Follow up Session 1- enable offenders to understand the Preventing Re-offending Model and begin to complete the Preventing Re-offending Plan.
Follow up Session 2–complete the offender Preventing Reoffending Plan and identify strategies for the future.
Legal requirement
TheStructured Intervention to Address Domestic Abuse is available as a 21 day Activity requirement on a Community Order with a Supervision Requirement or a Suspended Sentence Order.
How is attendance enforced?
Attendance will be monitored in accordance with Probation National Standards. Unacceptable absences are dealt with according to National Standards and will result in the offender being returned to court.
SIADA December 2009