Domestic Violence Intervention Programs for Perpetrators in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Research on intervention programs for domestic violence (DV) perpetrators in the United States and in Europe has started to shed light on these interventions and the challenges they face in determining “what works” in those regions. In Latin America, the research is almost nonexistent. This study presents a literature review of studies and program protocols in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the results of a continental survey on characteristics and suggested standards for DV perpetrator programs in this region. Findings indicate perpetrator interventions in this part of the world are in their earliest stages along with the remaining challenges these involve. Suggested standards in the areas of program effectiveness, evidence-based intake assessments, tailoring of programs to minority group’s needs, the conceptualization of DV, influential risk factors, and liaisons between academia and practice are discussed.

Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence: A Comparison Between Incarcerated and Community Offenders

“…The analysis revealed some similarities between incarcerated and nonincarcerated IPV perpetrators, although there was a set of differences that has implications in terms of IPV perpetrators' treatment. Current perspectives on the PIPs suggest that the treatment should be based on the specific characteristics and needs of each perpetrator and the extent to which the perpetrator presents a threat to current and future victims (see Babcock et al, 2016;Esquivel-Santoveña, & da Silva, 2016). In this sense, IPV perpetrators in the community and in prison should be considered individually for rehabilitation, not only because their treatment needs are different but also because of the contamination of other offenders with antisocial personality deficits that could affect their treatment outcomes and prognosis (Cunha & Gonçalves, 2013).…”

“…Despite these conclusions, there have been few studies regarding how correctional systems have developed specific policies, services, and programs to reduce the risk of recidivism among men convicted by IPV (Day, Richadson, Bowen, & Bernardi, 2014). The literature suggests that interventions for IPV perpetrators must match the individuals' characteristics and risk levels and must address IPV perpetrators' needs (Babcock et al, 2016;Esquivel-Santoveña & da Silva, 2016) to achieve better outcomes. Knowing the characteristics of the IPV perpetrators, as well those who allow to differentiate between incarcerated and nonincarcerated IPV perpetrators, provides a practical and successful method for planning and designing effective interventions with abusive partners (Coulter & VandeWeerd, 2009).…”

Evaluating group-based programmes for individuals who use violence and abuse in their intimate relationships

“…The use of group based programmes is now common internationally (for example, see Lilley-Walker et al, 2018;McCloskey et al, 2016;Niaz and Tariq, 2017;Santoveña and da Silva, 2016). Programmes all have a similar set of underlying principles of which the primary goal is to increase victim safety.…”

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrator Programmes

“…Recently, there have been a number of reviews commissioned to explore current domestic violence perpetrator provision in several areas of the world. Within recent issues of the journal Partner Abuse there have been reviews published from the UK (Bates, et al, 2017), US and Canada (Cannon, Hamel, Buttell & Ferreria, 2016), Sub-Saharan Africa (McCloskey, Boonzier, Steinbrenner & Hunter, 2016), Latin American and the Caribbean (Santoveñada & da Silva, 2016), and South Asian and Middle Eastern countries (Niaz, Hassan & Tariq, 2017). Bates, et al (2017) reviewed provision within the UK by surveying providers (e.g.…”