Investigating family violence perpetrators: Interventions, masculinities, and accountabilities

Abstract

This thesis examines family violence perpetrator interventions in Australia, focusing on men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs) and the role of gendered attitudes in shaping engagement and accountability. Using a multi-method research design, the study explores the attitudes and life experiences of men accessing a family violence intervention centre in Victoria and assesses changes in their self-reported abusive behaviour over time. Through 43 case studies, self-reported abusive behaviour checklists, ethnographic observations, and practitioner interviews, the research challenges assumptions about the effectiveness of perpetrator programs. Findings highlight that while awareness of abuse may increase, true accountability remains variable. The study identifies four key themes: the importance of victim-survivor voices in shaping interventions, the role of children as a motivation for engagement, the risks of perpetrator ‘empowerment’ in group work, and the predominance of awareness over accountability in program outcomes. These insights contribute to the ongoing discourse on improving family violence interventions and ensuring meaningful behaviour change.