The Assault Awareness Course and New Drivers’ Initiative; Groupwork programmes for young people convicted of violent and vehicle offences

Abstract

At the point that someone commits a crime and causes deliberate harm to others, that person must by definition have behaved irresponsibly and shown little or no empathy for their victims. Following the offence they may continue to avoid taking responsibility, hiding behind excuses to minimise their culpability and shift the blame on others – in order to avoid unpleasant consequences for themselves. Many will not consider the suffering to which their behaviour has led. Offending behaviour and restorative justice interventions will succeed only to the extent that a perpetrator is willing to accept responsibility for their part in their crime and shows some empathy for those they harmed. Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service has developed two innovative groupwork programmes, one for young people who have committed violent offences and the other for car crime. These programmes are designed to challenge participants to be accountable and provide conditions for an empathic response towards their victims.