criminal justice

Offenders peer interventions: what do we know?

Very little is currently known about the practice of using offenders as peer mentors. This study seeks to begin to address this gap in our knowledge and has four key objectives: • to develop the evidence-base regarding the practice of using offenders in peer mentoring roles • to establish what works (and what does not) • to identify the individual and wider benefits and how these can be maximised in future provision • to develop principles of 'best practice'.

Evidence and practice review of support for victims and outcome measurement

Research that aims to review the existing evidence and practice surrounding victims' support needs, outcome measurement and quality assurance in the victim support sector, to assess:

  • the support needs of victims
  • the effectiveness of interventions to support victims
  • how to develop victim outcome measures or indicators
  • how to measure victim outcomes
  • how to measure and assess quality in support service provision.

Domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland 2010-11 and 2011-12

Bulletin that presents statistics on domestic abuse, based on details of incidents supplied by the eight Scottish police forces in 2010-11 and 2011-12. It forms part of the Scottish Government series of statistical bulletins on the criminal justice system.

The figures are used to inform policy and, in conjunction with the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey, are used to measure the extent and nature of domestic abuse in Scotland.

Decision-making within a child's timeframe: an overview of current research evidence for family justice professionals concerning child development and the impact of maltreatment

Overview of research evidence that has been commissioned in response to the Family Justice Review recommendation for consistent training and development for family justice professionals, including a greater emphasis on child development. It aims to bring together key research evidence to facilitate understanding among professionals working in the family justice system in areas relating to:

Taking stock of alternatives to secure accommodation or custody for girls and young women in Scotland

Small-scale, scoping study that provides a synthesis of existing knowledge about girls and young women at risk of secure care or custody, and ways in which earlier intervention strategies and alternatives to secure care and accommodation could be developed specific to their needs.