This new report examines the experiences and views of family members of people with particular needs, such as learning difficulties, mental health issues or substance misuse, who are in contact with the criminal justice system.
It seeks to inform the development of liaison and diversion services and focuses on five themes around family involvement: Support for Families; Meeting Families' Needs; Awareness of, and contact with, liaison and diversion services; Confidentiality; and Awareness training. The report backs up exisiting research highlighting the important role of the family in supporting relatives in contact with the criminal justice system, calling for greater involvement of the family as a resource. The conclusion acknowledges the negative consequences that families can experience, especially where children are involved, and recommendations summarise the support needed to avoid such consequences and the role of liaison and diversion services in engaging the family unit.
Read the Relative Justice report below:
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