Processess of change: Interviews with men who have perpetrated intimate partner
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Date
2013-12
Authors
Zederayko, Alexis
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Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex problem affecting relationships in
Canada. Current methods of addressing this problem are insufficient to ensure the
safety of victims, and past therapeutic techniques have resulted in marginalization
and stigma counterproductive to supporting non-violence. Low levels of
accessibility and social support are problems facing male-as-primary-client
intervention programs. This study solicited experiences from men who have
perpetrated IPV and who have chosen to become non-violent. Participants were
recruited from two men’s programs in Nova Scotia, and interviewed for their
experiences of stopping the perpetration of violence and creating respectful
relationships with their partners and families.
In these interviews, men described supports and hindrances to change.
They provided narratives of their experiences that included processes of helpseeking,
disclosure, navigating stigma and shame, and taking responsibility for
their actions. They discussed the creation of their new identities as men who
choose not to abuse, and they recounted their experiences with friends, family, and
intervention programs.The discussion of these experiences examines links between elements of
the men’s experiences and existing literature, such as the impact that low
intervention accessibility may have on the trajectory of violence. It also explores
the benefits that these men derived from achieving clarity concerning their
preferences, values, and definitions of abuse. Methodological and interpretive
tensions in the research are discussed, and feedback for intervention programs is offered. Possible limitations to this research are reviewed, and gaps in knowledge
are presented for further study.
This research broadens academic and social understanding of how men who
perpetrate IPV can best be helped, and may change how these interventions are
conducted, increasing their effectiveness, accessibility, and impact.
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Keywords
Intimate partner violence , Domestic violence