Domestic Violence: Treatment within a Therapeutic Community

Domestic violence is highly prevalent both within
Australia and internationally. Many intervention
programmes for men who engage in domestic violence
are available, however there is a lack of consensus
as to which approach is most effective. This book
provides an outline of the current treatment options
and more specifically looks at a unique approach that
is available within Australia, called Breathing
Space. Breathing Space is a therapeutic community
that offers a multi-systemic, best-practice treatment
approach for men who engage in domestic violence.
This qualitative programme evaluation of the
processes used within Breathing Space, comprised of
observations and interviews with residents and staff.
Findings indicated that Breathing Space provided a
number of benefits to residents, however confidence
that treatment would reduce violence was low.
Suggested improvements included strengthening
professional boundaries, improved screening of
residents, compulsory attendance at group therapy,
and a greater focus on criminogenic needs. This book
should be especially useful to those establishing,
managing or working within a treatment centre for men
who engage in domestic violence.

Autorentext

Dr Richard Merrett, BA(Psych) Hons; DPsych; MAPS: StudiedClinical and Forensic Psychology at Edith Cowan University inWestern Australia. Employed as a Clinical Psychologist in privatepractice and with a Government child protection agency.

Klappentext

Domestic violence is highly prevalent both withinAustralia and internationally. Many interventionprogrammes for men who engage in domestic violenceare available, however there is a lack of consensusas to which approach is most effective. This bookprovides an outline of the current treatment optionsand more specifically looks at a unique approach thatis available within Australia, called BreathingSpace. Breathing Space is a therapeutic communitythat offers a multi-systemic, best-practice treatmentapproach for men who engage in domestic violence.This qualitative programme evaluation of theprocesses used within Breathing Space, comprised ofobservations and interviews with residents and staff.Findings indicated that Breathing Space provided anumber of benefits to residents, however confidencethat treatment would reduce violence was low.Suggested improvements included strengtheningprofessional boundaries, improved screening ofresidents, compulsory attendance at group therapy,and a greater focus on criminogenic needs. This bookshould be especially useful to those establishing,managing or working within a treatment centre for menwho engage in domestic violence.