Effectiveness of interventions with male perpetrators of violence against women: A narrative review

Abstract

Abstract There are several types of work performed with men who are perpetrators of violence, however, the effectiveness of these approaches is different and the results present great variations. This article aimed to analyze where and how the work with heterosexual male perpetrators of violence against women and the effectiveness of the interventions are carried out. Therefore, a narrative review was carried out through three databases (BVSalud, Pubmed and Psycinfo), in the period from 2006 to 2019, in English and Portuguese. After using the eligibility criteria, 9 articles were included in the review. Among the studies included, most of them were conducted in the EUA, with participants in the mean age group of 36.6 years. Regarding effectiveness, the programs showed a decrease in violent behaviors and better self-reflection, however, there were no major changes in relation to gender equality and loss of control. Those who gave up the programs did not consider themselves criminals and did not realize the need to join the group. For a greater effectiveness of the work carried out with heterosexual male perpetrator, there is a need to analyze the issue of violence within individual, community and institutional aspects, not disregarding psychosocial factors.