Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

2008 Category 1: United States
• Intensive Probation supervision: The probation officers supervised domestic
and family violence delinquents more intensely, providing victims greater protection
while maximizing efforts at rehabilitation. Protocols also required that
Probation provide referral sources for victims in every case.
Ensure accountability with tailored intervention programs: the court intervention focused
on sending the youthful offender to a 26-week intervention program for domestic
and family violence. This program was developed to specifically address
these forms of violence, which are based upon models of power and control, tailored
with a “youth-specific” message. The programs were delivered by three to four local
providers, using a gender-specific curriculum.
Ensure victim safety through services and referrals: The program referred victims to
non-governmental agencies that provided specialized services, including paternity
testing, child support and visitation determination, and appropriate restraining orders.
The program also gave victims access to restitution or their losses and access to
counselling services through Victim-Witness.
The programme’s aim was threefold:
• Reduce the number of juvenile domestic and family violence cases in Santa
Clara County;
• Provide rehabilitation services to abusive youth; and
• Deliver specialized services to victims, whether they were the dating partner
or the parent/sibling of the offender.
This unique, court-based program includes the following key components:
• Assessment: Domestic and family violence cases are identified at the intake process
by specially trained probation officers who conduct a detailed risk assessment;
• Specialized Prosecution and Defense: Both the District Attorney’s Office
and the Public Defender’s Office specially train attorneys to handle juvenile
domestic and family violence cases;
• Dedicated Docket: One afternoon a week is set aside exclusively for juvenile
domestic and family violence cases;
• Intensive Supervision: Abusive youth are subject to periodic reviews by the
judge, as well as intensive probation supervision. Probation’s specialized domestic
violence/family violence unit stresses accountability and competency
skills for healthy relationships;
• Offender Programs: A major component of the court-based intervention is a
“teen-specific” 26-week batterer’s intervention program, supplemented by substance
abuse programs, mental health programs, or other counselling as needed;
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