New research released on engagement in perpetrator intervention programs

This week Dr Kate Fitz-Gibbon, in her capacity as a Professor at Monash University, has released the findings from Australia’s largest study of men’s engagement with behaviour change programs. This research found the current approach to working with men who use violence is missing opportunities to more effectively engage men in behaviour change, to keep their risk visible and to hold them accountable. These missed opportunities represent critical moments where victim-survivor safety could have been improved.

Co-authored with Drs Jasmine McGowan, Nicola Helps and Brittany Ralph. This research was funded by the Victorian Government. For this study, the research team interviewed and surveyed men who had participated in a behaviour change program in Victoria to understand what their experiences were like. Family members of program participants and practitioners who deliver the programs were also interviewed.

This state-wide study sought to build new evidence on the multifaceted nature of perpetrator engagement in men’s behaviour change programs, including to identify risk factors for disengagement and to document practitioner strategies which support higher levels of engagement. 

The Final Report makes nine recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of  interventions for people who use violence. These include the collection of long-term data on participants’ post-program trajectories, and review of funding models to support comprehensive program delivery. We also recommend the development of a post-program support service and expansion of housing options for individuals listed as a respondent on an intervention order. Ensuring consistent practice with existing standards and establishing a practitioner community of practice are also recommended to facilitate ongoing improvements and innovations in addressing and preventing violent behaviour.

While the data collected for this project was Victorian-specific, the findings and recommendations are relevant nationally. 

Three main outputs from this study were released this week:

You can access the Research Report here: https://doi.org/10.26180/26046856.v1

You can access the Research to Policy Guidance here: https://doi.org/10.26180/26325544.v1

You can access the Research to Practice Guidance here: https://doi.org/10.26180/26325622.v1