Srisombat Chokprajakchat, Wanaporn Techagaisiyavanit and Tongyai Iyavarakul
A common challenge found in the establishment and operation of a halfway house is the local community’s opposition, which can lead to community disengagement and the exclusion of…
Abstract
Purpose
A common challenge found in the establishment and operation of a halfway house is the local community’s opposition, which can lead to community disengagement and the exclusion of the halfway house residents from the locality. This study aims to examine, and present a unique, alternate experience of the Kalatapae halfway house, which is located in a less privileged community in the southern part of Thailand.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses mixed methods by using a qualitative methodology through conducting in-depth interviews with 16 halfway house residents and the house’s manager, and a focus group with government officials and adopting a quantitative methodology through conducting public surveys with the local residents in Kalatapae and its 6 other surrounding communities to inquire about their support for the halfway house and its residents.
Findings
The study found certain key factors that help secure emotional support for the halfway house residents through the local community’s acceptance. These are needs recognition of the house residents, community involvement and the perceived mutual benefits gained by the community from the operation of the halfway house. The community’s positive social engagement arguably increases the ability of the halfway house residents to desist from crime and better facilitate their transition back into society.
Research limitations/implications
The quantitative data were analyzed based on the frequency of responses to quantify the overall level of support of the local residents. Individual factors that would have an effect on the responses were not determined.
Practical implications
The experience can serve as a strategy for operating other halfway houses to facilitate transition and reintegration of the house’s residents into the society.
Originality/value
The study provides a practical aspect in the implementation of an aftercare program by presenting new key elements for a halfway house to secure local community acceptance and maintain a positive relationship with the halfway house's residents.
Details
Keywords
Srisombat Chokprajakchat, Wanaporn Techagaisiyavanit, Dhanakorn Mulaphong, Tongyai Iyavarakul and Attapol Kuanliang
While many countries have adopted traditional approaches to identify patterns and trends in domestic violence at a national level, a strategy that provides more insightful…
Abstract
Purpose
While many countries have adopted traditional approaches to identify patterns and trends in domestic violence at a national level, a strategy that provides more insightful information is still lacking. In response to this need, the purpose of this study is to propose the construction of a domestic violence severity index (DVSI) as an alternative. This index serves as a strategic instrument for policymakers and law enforcement agencies, enabling them to monitor changes in the overall severity of domestic violence incidents over time, beyond relying solely on the volume of reported incidents.
Design/methodology/approach
Reported domestic violence incidents are collected over the past five years (2019–2023) from the entire country. Unlike sentence-based approaches such as the Cambridge Crime Harm Index and the Canadian Crime Severity Index, the DVSI applies a crime severity index based on expert judgment to assess the seriousness of domestic violence categories. Twenty-three experts with extensive experience in domestic violence issues across various governmental and nongovernmental organizations participated in providing assessments. To ensure consistency in assigning weight values to the domestic violence categories, the average scores provided by experts were calculated using arithmetic mean, median, mode and geometric mean.
Findings
Domestic violence maps reflecting trends between 2019 and 2023 across 77 provinces in Thailand have been generated based on the index data. The maps depict significant serial and spatial correlation levels from 2019 to 2023.
Practical implications
These maps carry significant implications for the country’s domestic violence prevention strategy by offering detailed insights into the geographical locations and periods requiring focused attention and resource allocation from the government. This tool can also aid the public in gaining a better understanding of the prevalence of domestic violence in society, facilitating increased coordination and collaboration among stakeholders.
Originality/value
Many countries quantify domestic violence using simple methods, such as calculating percentages or measuring incidents per 100,000 population. However, a specific DVSI has not yet been developed to analyze and understand domestic violence trends geographically, which could serve as an additional measure to protect victims. In addition, the study uses an expert judgment approach, a rare method in constructing a crime severity index, especially in the context of domestic violence.