NCJ Number
143724
Date Published
1991
Length
68 pages
Annotation
This paper describes and analyzes the range of perspectives and practices that are current in the treatment of male perpetrators of family violence, and recommendations are offered for the development of such treatment in Victoria (Australia).
Abstract
The paper first examines the social and cultural context of violence, within which antiviolence strategies and programs must develop and intervene. Topics discussed in this section are the learning of violent behavior and women's responses to violence. The paper then addresses the major theories of violence that tend to inform and underlie the variety of antiviolence programs and strategies commonly used. The theories are distinguished as biological, ethological/sociobiological, psychoanalytic, sociological, and feminist. An overview of programs for cultural change then focuses on preventive and educational strategies for the reduction of male violence. These include educational programs for children and older students, programs that target teachers and teacher trainees, parent programs, and consciousness raising for men. A review of intervention strategies for violent men distinguishes programs according to those that operate within the criminal justice and corrections systems and those that operate independent of these systems. The availability of such programs in Victoria is examined. Based upon the assessment that various treatment programs for violent men are useful as part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent family violence, detailed recommendations are offered for the systematic planning and implementation of such programs in Victoria. Appended assessment of education/counseling programs for batterers and a cooperative agreement between the Minnesota Domestic Abuse Intervention Program and counseling agencies, along with 58 references