With a research and program development team amassing over 50 years of hands-on experience in social services, corrections and policing, V.O.I.C.E. has developed the theoretical platform for a number of individual and group intervention strategies designed to address the main identified factors that negatively impact upon people’s ability to develop and maintain positive, pro-social lives and lifestyles and contribute to anti-social and/or offending attitudes and behaviours. The review of scientific literature identified that the major contributing factors towards such antisocial / offending attitudes and behaviours can be divided into five life areas:

 

a) Individual:

• demographic aspects (i.e.: age, gender, race/ethnicity, etc.);

• aggression (especially when an there is an early onset of the aggressive behaviour) and impulsivity;

• antisocial beliefs, attitudes and behaviours;

• mental health issues;

• limited intellectual functioning (low intelligence, learning difficulties, etc.);

 

b) Family:

• antisocial / criminal behaviours within the family environment (parents, siblings, extended family);

• family (parents or parent child) separation, either temporary or permanent, including out-of-home placement (i.e.: foster care or other institutional / residential care);

• parental conflict and/or family disruptions, including instances of domestic violence;

• mistreatment of children within the family environment (physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse; physical and/or emotional neglect, etc.);

• limited (if any) parental skills (lack or excessive parental monitoring and supervision; harsh, inconsistent and/or lax discipline; low parental support, etc.);

• large families (four or more children);

• low family socioeconomic status (limited or no income, reduced employable skills or employment opportunities, etc.);

 

c) Peer pressure:

• antisocial / criminal peer associations;

• gang membership (or other criminal organisations);

• peer rejection (based on race, religion or other discriminatory criteria);

 

d) School (academic / vocational education and training):

• poor academic performance (either due to intellectual abilities or adverse attitude towards learning process);

• poor school attendance (suspensions, expulsions, truancy, dropping out);

• low levels of school connectedness / bonding in terms of:

◦ the level of attachment / closeness of relationships at school, with teachers and fellow students;

◦ commitment towards the learning process (desire to invest effort into acquiring knowledge and performing / achieving well in school);

 

e) Community / neighbourhood:

• living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods / remote communities;

• living in areas marred by violence, criminal / antisocial behaviour and with a general low level of community safety.

 

We deliver individual and group specialised interventions/programs for:

• substance abuse issues;

• family and domestic violence issues;

• anger management;

• goal setting, problem solving, decision making and consequential thinking skills;

• suicide prevention;

• increasing motivation and desire/readiness to change;

• parenting and relationships skills; and

• increasing social proficiency.

 

V.O.I.C.E. acknowledges that each individual is unique and all interventions provided are designed to meet the specific needs of each client, both in individual and group interventions.

 

The three innovative programs developed by V.O.I.C.E. are:

 

The "Why not?" Program - a sixteen hour socio-educational program developed to support people (especially children and adolescents within the 10 to 21 years old bracket) towards recognising past problematic behaviours, increasing their levels of motivation and identifying the benefits of:

• inducing positive changes in their lives and lifestyles;

• engaging in activities and interventions designed to address specific areas; and

• developing a positive, prosocial outlook at life, consistent with their stated values and goals.

 

The "ABC" Program (Actively Building Competence) - an evidenced-based educational program for adolescents aged 14 to 21, designed to provide them with the basic knowledge and skills that would allow them take ownership of their own personal and social development. Using an exploratory-intuitive approach, “ABC” targets the psychological, social and lifestyle factors associated with one’s successful development into a responsible, productive and law-abiding citizen. Through various motivational and collaborative therapeutic strategies, participants are encouraged to take responsibility for their own social maturation, enabling them to set the foundation for rewarding, prolific and responsible lives, striving for excellence in every aspect.

 

The "SAFE" Program (Stopping Aggression in Family Environments) – a program that combines elements of the two most successful models (the Duluth Model and the Cognitive Behavioural approach) in a platform consistent with the principles of “What works” (Risk-Needs-Responsivity-Program integrity-Professional discretion). The program will be delivered in weekly two hour sessions, with perpetrators being required to attend a minimum of 26 sessions. Depending on their assessed level of risk, the extent and circumstances of their domestic and family violence behaviours and the level of participation and compliance with the program requirements, perpetrators may be required to undertake up to 50 sessions on the program.

 

It is important to mention here that various individualised and/or targeted programs can be designed to address the risks and needs of individuals or specific communities. V.O.I.C.E. is committed to work with individuals, their families, communities and all Governmental and Non-Governmental departments, agencies, services and organisations, to design and deliver complex programs aimed at addressing a variety of risks and needs identified for specific clients or groups (families, communities, schools, etc.).