Programs for Partner-Violent Men: Shared Goals With Different Strategies

Abstract

Currently, the most popular intervention in the problem of intimate partner violence (IPV) are shelter-based services for victims and the group program model for perpetrators. Since its establishment in the 1970s, the perpetrator group format has been adopted throughout the world, in various settings. Most services are directed at partner-violent men; however, there are initiatives for offering interventions for partner-violent women, lesbians, and gays (e.g., Hamel, 2014). Some smaller scale studies have indicated that these programs result in important changes and help clients stop their violent behavior; however, the effectiveness of these programs has yet to be demonstrated by research using the most rigorous experimental designs. Because there is currently no conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions, or best practices, many programs face challenges in justifying their work. In addition, many ideological disputes have characterized the development of the group programs. Given the many controversial viewpoints on these interventions, the aim of this article is to discuss some key issues concerning these programs’ history, development, and current challenges in both practice and research.