Researching collaborative processes in domestic violence perpetrator programs: benchmarking for situation improvement

Summary: This article reports on research undertaken in Victoria, Australia with workers from men?s behavior change programs (perpetrator programs) to explore the extent of the collaborative processes established with police, child protection, and other human service organizations. It poses the question: how do regional collaborative arrangements and the pathways to referral reflect the responsiveness of men s behavior change programs to domestic violence service integration? It builds on a strand of research highlighting the significance of the wider domestic violence intervention system in holding men who use violence accountable. Findings: A research tool was designed around a Practice Matrix to outline different dimensions against which expectations of collaboration could be benchmarked in men s behavior change programs. It was found that at this early stage within the domestic violence reform process in Victoria that the integration of programs within the wider domestic violence sector was relatively undeveloped. The feedback loops between agencies, which enable reporting on attendance, breaches of intervention orders, changes to the risk assessment, and progress at formal review points were relatively undeveloped. However, the formal engagement within domestic violence regional committees and with police was more developed. Application: Social workers, particularly in the vulnerable children?s area provide referrals to men?s behavior change programs. Active involvement in feedback, risk assessment review, monitoring for change support the accountability and collaborative effort required to strengthen the effectiveness of men?s behavior change and enhance the safety of women and their children.