Female Out of Court Diversionary Scheme

We are delivering a new female Out of Court Diversionary scheme in partnership with Dorset Police and PCC. The scheme works with women who are classified as vulnerably and are at the point of arrest of committing a crime

• for the first time or
• have previous criminal record but have not offended in the past 2 years.

The women are given a conditional caution and opportunity to work with us rather than their offence progressing to court. Vulnerabilities include mental health problems, women living in coercive or controlling relationships, domestic violence, and committing petty crime to support their family. Women will meet with our specialist worker once a week for 4-6 weeks and are then offered volunteer support with any on-going problems.

The scheme launched in April 2019 and offers support for up to 100 women per year. 

The pilot scheme supported 84 women with 0 being reconvicted during the first year. The scheme has been shortlisted for a Howard League Community Award.

You can read about the results from the pilot scheme here.