A UK multi-centre cluster randomised control trial, with internal pilot, of the ADVANCE-Digitally supported perpetrator intervention compared to community justice offender management (1:1), to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV), for men convicted of IPV who misuse substances (ADVANCE-D trial)
Men convicted of intimate partner violence who also misuse alcohol or drugs are currently barred from standard probation programmes because those programmes cannot handle their substance problems. A new trial will test whether a 32-session digital intervention called ADVANCE-D, which tackles both violence and substance misuse together, can reduce reoffending among 450 male offenders in England, Wales, and Scotland. Roughly 40% of UK intimate partner violence convictions involve substance misuse, yet no existing probation intervention addresses both issues simultaneously. ADVANCE-D combines group sessions, self-directed website modules, and individual coaching, delivered in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. The trial randomly assigns 32 probation offices to either ADVANCE-D or standard offender management, then tracks men’s self-reported violence at 4 and 12 months, plus criminal justice and health records at 24 months. If ADVANCE-D proves superior to usual management, it could become an accredited probation programme, directly informing the UK Government’s Perpetrator Strategy and Crime and Justice Task Force. Reducing recidivism would improve safety for partners and children, and lower long-term costs to the criminal justice system.
View original technical description
RESEARCH QUESTION Is ADVANCE-D for men who misuse substances serving a community sentence or who are on license for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration superior in reducing IPV perpetration compared to usual criminal justice offender management (CJOM) in the short (4 months), medium (12 months) & longer term (24 months)? BACKGROUND 40% of UK IPV convictions have substance misuse problems but these offenders are unsuitable for existing probation perpetrator interventions due to their substance misuse. ADVANCE-D is an integrated IPV and substance misuse intervention with promising results when delivered in substance misuse treatment. This trial will test ADVANCE-D in probation. AIMS & OBJECTIVES At 4 & 12-months: 1. To assess if ADVANCE-D is superior in reducing IPV compared to usual CJOM 2. To explore implementation, context & mechanisms of impact of delivering ADVANCE-D with participants & practitioners 3. To compare costs & outcomes of ADVANCE-D using cost-consequences analysis At 24 months: 4. To track outcomes in routinely collected health & criminal justice data METHODS Design: A UK multicentre cluster randomised control trial with internal pilot & nested process evaluation. Population & Setting: 450 male offenders who misuse substances serving a community sentence or on license for IPV & assessed as unsuitable for existing probation perpetrator interventions. Participants must be able to communicate in English, Polish, Urdu, Romanian or Panjabi. (Ex)-partners will be offered support & invited to provide outcome data. 32 Probation Delivery Units (England & Wales) or Criminal Justice Social Work Offices (CJSW; Scotland) will be randomised to ADVANCE-D or usual CJOM (1:1). Intervention: ADVANCE-D has 32-sessions (individual goal-setting session; 7 group sessions; 12 self-directed website sessions & 12 individual coaching sessions) delivered in-person, remotely or hybrid. Usual CJOM: diversionary, educational or intervention activity Primary outcome: Men’s self-reported IPV perpetration in the past 4 months measured using the Abusive Behaviour Inventory at 4 & 12-months Secondary outcomes: IPV (partner reports), substance use, wellbeing, quality of life, capability & service use for men & (ex)-partners at 4 & 12-month. Health and criminal justice outcomes will be tracked at 24 months in routinely collected databases & registers Process evaluation: 40 men allocated to ADVANCE-D, (ex)-partners & practitioners will be qualitatively interviewed at 4 & 12-months Analysis: Multi-level regression modelling will analyse trial data using intention to treat analysis. Cost-consequences analysis will be performed. Framework approach will analyse longitudinal qualitative data TIMELINE Ethics approval month 4; internal pilot complete month 15; decision on trial progression month 16; randomisation of PDU/CJSW month 18; recruitment complete month 24; follow-up complete month 42; data analysis complete month 48 IMPACT ADVANCE-D could reduce recidivsm & improve lives of (ex)-partners & children. Findings will inform UK Government’s Perpetrator Strategy & Crime & Justice Task Force. ADVANCE-D will be accredited for use in UK probation DISSEMINATION Findings will be disseminated via publications, conferences, policy briefings, press releases & social media TEAM/PPI World leading track record with successful collaboration. A PPI panel and a Learning Alliance of key stakeholders will guide/translate research into practice
Plain English summaries and category classifications on this site are generated by AI and may not perfectly reflect the original research.
Is something wrong? Let us know