Timothy Broady Rebecca Gray Irene Gaffney FRSA National Conference, 2012

1. Investigating changes in the attitudes and behaviour of men who use violence Evidence for the effectiveness of group work intervention Timothy Broady Rebecca Gray Irene Gaffney FRSA National Conference, 2012

2. Family Violence Attempts to reduce prevalence/impact of violence • Engaging with victims AND users • Interventions for users of violence Previous research is limited • Inconclusive

3. Taking Responsibility Aims to assist men who have used violence/abuse • Take responsibility for actions • Adopt alternative ways of relating • Strengthen skills/attitudes for relationships Support for partners and children also offered

4. Program Evaluation To what extent does the Taking Responsibility course enable change amongst male clients in attendance? Attitudes (Survey) Gender Equity Self-Esteem Mastery (self-efficacy) Psychological Distress Personal Narratives (Interview)

5. Participant Profile Men (Post-Group, N=49) 80% Australian 22-59 years old (M=41.02) 35% low income (<$600/wk) 20% med. income ($600-999) 20% high income ($1000+) 60% seeing counsellor Men (Pre-Group, N=85) 72% Australian 21-59 years old (M=39.88) 45% low income (<$600/wk) 22% med. income ($600-999) 19% high income ($1000+) 66% seeing counsellor

6. Participant Profile Men (Pre-Group, N=85) 58% married/de facto 29% separated/divorced 46% living with partner Mean relationship = 11.3 years 0-7 children (M=2.5) Men (Post-Group, N=49) 49% married/de facto 31% separated/divorced 41% living with partner Mean relationship = 12.5 years 0-6 children (M=2.7)

7. Pre-Group Survey Psychological Distress Significantly higher than national sample

8. Pre-Group Survey Psychological Distress Significantly higher than national sample Self-Esteem Significantly lower than national sample

9. Pre-Group Survey Psychological Distress Significantly higher than national sample Self-Esteem Significantly lower than national sample Mastery Lower than U.S. sample

10. Pre-Group Survey Psychological Distress Significantly higher than national sample Self-Esteem Significantly lower than national sample Mastery Lower than U.S. sample Gender Equity Significantly lower than national sample

11. Attitudinal Change Psychological Distress Significant decrease

12. Attitudinal Change Psychological Distress Significant decrease Self-Esteem Significant increase

13. Attitudinal Change Psychological Distress Significant decrease Self-Esteem Significant increase Mastery Significant increase

14. Attitudinal Change Psychological Distress Significant decrease Self-Esteem Significant increase Mastery Significant increase Gender Equity No significant change

15. Psychological Distress I’m much calmer. My depression has dropped significantly. Marlon I’ve been suicidal in the past. And to be honest, in the last three months I have felt better than I have in five to six years. Marlon I manage stress a lot better, it’s not an issue. It’s something you can control in your head. Anger doesn’t exist any more. That’s down the old road. Ace

16. Psychological Distress I used to be a real angry shit. And now I get comments, like from the girlfriend’s parents. They said, “There’s just a calm about him when he walks into the room”. Parker My uncle especially, he would be a great one to go and do the course because he’s very highly strung. Ace

17. Self-Esteem I’ve always been a very, very low self-esteem sorta person. Always pick up on, like go for the negatives rather than the positives, whereas now, I can feel the change just from I’m so much more of a positive, up-beat person. Edgar I’m much more comfortable in my own skin, and feel I have a worth, or a right to my position and that I don’t have to force it on others. Hugo

18. Self-Esteem The course helped me to realise that I am just as valuable as any other person. Parker I certainly know what it’s like to be respectful now because I actually like the bloke I am, whereas before I didn’t. Edgar Now I’m happy with myself as a man, father, partner. I’m real happy actually. Edgar Just them learning from me and my actions and experiences also gave me a sense of self worth. Parker

19. Mastery I think I’m much more in control of myself, and that allow [sic] me to control the situation better. Linus If the depression kicks in again that sort of thing may happen again, but at least now I have the tools and the knowledge of what’s causing it so I’m more likely to catch it beforehand. Marlon I said three weeks out, I was wondering whether I was gonna be able to sustain it or not, whereas now I’m confident I’ll be able to keep goin’ with it and keep the tools out of the toolbox I’ve been given. Edgar

20. Gender Equity As a child, my father was, y’ know, the man’s job is the provider and that sort of thing. So it’s changed my view about all that sort of stuff. Ace Certainly my values – made me reassess my values in terms of how I view my wife or my kids. Felix Her words were she feels she can have a say without being judged, and that I can have my say without blaming her. Hugo

21. Gender Equity ‘Cause it ain’t always the bloke who’s in the wrong, y’ know what I mean? Us blokes, we always get f**kin’ bent over and rooted and mate, it ain’t always our fault. Norris There’s a bigger change by me, not much change by her. Basil

22. Gender Equity She thinks she’s not that way inclined. But emotionally and verbally, she’s so much that way and to be able to get her to understand that the issues out there are so crucial, especially the way she can relate and talk and rip into me verbally, I mean, it’s just beyond a joke. Preston I still call her anything under the sun, but it sorta depends on if she’s gonna be civil or not. Basil

23. Female Partner Interviews Research aims: To gather the perceptions and experiences of female partners of the TR program To verify male interviews in relation to change To ascertain levels of violence and abuse To monitor their sense of safety To capture their recommendations To give the women a voice

24. Female Partner Interviews Overview of findings: Reduction in physical violence Increase in other forms of abuse (verbal) Change is a process –sustainability of changes Motivational factors – relationship or lifestyle factors. Doubts regarding authenticity of change. Could not report on changes – ADVO in place

25. Female Partner Interviews Findings related to men’s data: Better management of psychological distress, did not comment on improvement of self-mastery or self-esteem. Gender equity was described through the context of an ongoing relationship, and poor communication skills or ongoing verbal abuse. As such, female participants expressed doubts as to an improvement here.

26. Female Partner Interviews I can identify [abusive behaviour] now. It’s like I’ve got zero tolerance. He can’t get anything past me now […] He goads me and says: “ooh, look who’s angry now?!” I can’t see him changing… Priscilla So, it [the course] is good in that he gets a different perspective […] but he doesn’t tell me a whole lot what they say. He comes home and says: “it’s all the women’s way!” and that he can’t do or say anything. He gets quite depressed by the whole thing […] But he’s learnt not to lash out. Heather

27. Conclusion Conclusions and implications: • Focus on gender equity. • Capitalize on improvements in self mastery • Research motivational levels that relates to relationship status • Research on sustainability of changes.

28. Contact & Citation Tim Broady: timb@carersnsw.asn.au Rebecca Gray: rebeccag@ransw.org.au Irene Gaffney: ireneg@ransw.org.au Suggested citation: Broady, T., Gray, R. and Gaffney, I. (2012) “Investigating changes in the attitudes and behaviour of men who use violence: Evidence for the effectiveness of group work intervention” Oral paper presented at the Family & Relationship Services Australia conference, Darwin, Australia.