---
In an effort to decrease instances of domestic violence in Puerto Rico, the Justice Department of the island has recently introduced a new treatment approach aimed at changing the behaviors of domestic violence offenders, which has shown effectiveness in other regions.
This approach, known as the Strengthen at Home program, seeks to avert and eliminate domestic violence by focusing on trauma-informed practices.
The program targets post-traumatic stress disorder and improper information processing that tend to drive many domestic violence offenders, who may have encountered various forms of trauma in their early years and other unresolved situations, which can manifest as violent actions and substance abuse.
A study assessing the program’s effectiveness among probation participants revealed that the percentage of couples reporting physical violence from their partners dropped from 45% to 5.9% following their involvement in the program.
Similar positive outcomes were noted concerning substance abuse, including alcohol, opioids, and other drugs, which correlate with those having histories of violence.
The Justice Department has put together a proposal for Puerto Rico, based on existing models of the program that have been utilized in the mainland United States over the last decade.
The launch event saw participation from prosecutors, judges, agents, technicians, and various professionals from different agencies, institutions, and organizations.
