Understanding male domestic partner abusers

Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 283

Jeffrey C Richards, Angus J MacLachlan, Wayne Scott and Raeleene Gregory
ISBN 0 642 53852 2 ISSN 0817-8542
Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, October 2004

Abstract

Research in the past decade has found that certain ways of responding to domestic partner abusers, particularly psycho-educational approaches, can be effective in modifying abusive behaviours. The study described in this paper sought to classify male domestic partner abusers by certain identified characteristics and determine whether they responded differently to a Men's Behaviour Change Program conducted by community agencies in regional Victoria. It was found that some types of male abusers appeared to derive greater benefits from the standard 12-week program than others. Those with antisocial personality disorders tended not to respond favourably. Further research work is now required to identify interventions that will be successful with abusers who have significant antisocial personalities.

This paper is taken from the report of research undertaken with the assistance of a grant from the Criminology Research Council.

References

Full report: Identification of characteristics and patterns of male domestic partner abusers