Domestic violence is one of the most devastating crimes facing our country today. It rips apart families, and it destroys everyone involved on physical, emotional, and mental levels. When you add alcohol and drugs into the mix, the severity of those issues increases exponentially. Studies have shown that substance abuse is an indicator of men's continued abuse of (or stoppage of) domestic violence.

Many people who've been convicted of domestic violence regret their actions. Solely punitive solutions may satisfy the need for punishment, but they may not help rehabilitate the perpetrator, raising the likelihood that they'll re-offend in the future. There's evidence that an empathetic defense strategy mixed with substance abuse treatment may make things better for everyone involved, including the abuser.

The KODY Program May Help Stop Continued Abuse

The re-occurrence of domestic abuse, especially by men against their partners and children, has led to the development of programs that target the issues that cause the abuse to continue. Drug and alcohol abuse has been recognized as some of the key reasons that men re-offend.

The KODY (Kids First (Caring Dads) and Odyssey House Victoria) program in Australia works with two non-government organizations in Melbourne. It provides alcohol and drug treatment services to men and women dealing with substance abuse and domestic violence, and it has created programs that have permitted these parents to get the help they need so that they can ensure safe, happy, and secure environments for their children.

Reviews of domestic violence homicides in Victoria reveal that up to 60% of murders involve alcohol or drugs. It has allowed data scientists to draw a strong connection between continued domestic violence and the presence of these substances.

This makes it a lot more likely that children in these types of situations may be forced into child protection services and out of the home. With programs like KODY in effect, the likelihood of these and similar sad scenarios are often reduced.

An Empathetic Approach May Help All

If there are circumstances where the offender is able to be treated with programs like KODY, there may be a better outcome for all. The abuser will get much needed help for their mental health and substance abuse issues. They can learn alternative means of conflict resolution instead of resorting to violence.

The children will benefit because they'll be able to stay in their homes with their families. They'll be monitored by the support programs, but they'll also be able to see the growth that their parents are making.

Couples will be able to practice healthy conflict resolution and get to the point where both parties' wishes are respected during any issues that arise.

Speak to Attorneys for Help Moving Forward

No one is happy in domestic violence situations. They create an atmosphere of fear that does nothing but set the stage for more violence and misery. LLF's Criminal Law Team have spent years helping their clients deal with domestic violence issues in ways that can help them move forward in a healthy way.

Reach out to the LLF Law Firm for help at 888-535-3686 today to schedule an evaluation of your domestic violence case. There may be a path towards a better future.