Aboriginal men's programs tackling family violence: A scoping review

Abstract

This article presents a scoping review of literature on Aboriginal men’s programs that aim to address family violence. While significant research has been conducted on protecting Aboriginal women and children from domestic and family violence (DFV), there remains a gap in understanding the effectiveness of programs designed for men who use violence. This review examines the available Australian and international literature on Aboriginal men’s programs that focus on behaviour change and healing, identifying key program elements, challenges, and areas requiring further research. The authors propose a conceptual model to better understand the complexities of addressing family violence within Aboriginal men’s group programs. The findings underscore the importance of holistic, culturally informed approaches that consider the intersections of colonisation, intergenerational trauma, and gendered violence. The study highlights the need for sustained investment, community engagement, and robust evaluation frameworks to improve the effectiveness of Aboriginal men’s programs in preventing and reducing DFV.