What is the role of 'relational influence' in behaviour change work with domestic abuse perpetrators?

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Domestic abuse is a global and national crisis. Behaviourchange programmes such as Domestic Abuse PerpetratorProgrammes (DAPPs) have been found to be useful insupporting male domestic violence perpetrators to move awayfrom abusive ways of being."Relational influence" is the interpersonal process by whichpeople in close relationships affect each other's thoughts,emotions, and behaviour (Huston, 1983). To date, there hasbeen no research on the role of relational influence inbehaviour change programmes with abusive men.Working in collaboration with a Children's Centre, a leadingDAPP provider, and Respect, the national accreditation bodyfor DAPPs, this study will employ a national survey of DAPPfacilitators, followed by ethnographic observations of a DAPPprogramme, and 12-15 interview clusters surrounding 12-15domestic abusers in the same DAPP who have experiencedsome change away from abusive behaviour. In order to studythe role of relational influence in abusive men's behaviourchange, the interview clusters will consist of interviews withthe perpetrators themselves, their DAPP facilitators, andthose close to the perpetrators who helped them change(approximately 45 interviews in all).Understanding how DAPP facilitators and people in abusivemen's lives help them desist from abusing would illuminatepathways toward change in practice and fill gaps in academicknowledge about how others can help men move away fromways of being shaped by hegemonic masculinities that harmwomen and children.