Glenn Inquiry releases report on what works in changing perpetrator behaviour


Mon 15 Dec 2014

The Glenn Inquiry has released a report on "what works in getting lasting attitude and behavioural change by those who have been violent." The ...

The Glenn Inquiry has released a report on "what works in getting lasting attitude and behavioural change by those who have been violent."

The research report Former Family Violence Perpetrators' Narratives of Change, by Dr Michael Roguski and Natalie Gregory of Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation, was commissioned by the Glenn Inquiry to understand what motivates and sustains change and what supports perpetrators to live violence-free. A summary report is also available.

26 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 males and 1 female who reported being engaged in family violence for a prolonged period of time, but not in the last 12 months.

While the findings showed no single or simple solution, the authors identified common themes that "cannot be ignored" if New Zealand is to have an effective system for reducing family violence rates:

  • "All but four were exposed to family violence as children.
  • Normalisation of violence was regarded as the greatest barrier to acknowledging their behaviour was wrong.
  • Alcohol and drug use was commonly associated with violence. Half the participants raised it, and they each had to decide to either stop or moderate their use before they could be violence free.
  • All cited distrust of and dissatisfaction with mental health professionals as a barrier to getting help.
  • Non-violence programmes worked better when people could share experiences with a facilitator who had 'walked the talk,' but there had to be ongoing follow-up support.
  • To build trust, they wanted their partners to be able to get support too.
  • To sustain transformed lives, they had to develop violence free friendships and networks, and learn how to identify and avert emerging violence."

The Glenn Inquiry's final report, a Blueprint was published on 28 November 2014. It presents a set of recommendations to address family violence in New Zealand.

Media

E Tu Whānau Supports Glenn Report’s call, Scoop, 25.11.2014

Inquiry suggests refuges for men, NZ Herald, 18.11.2014

Anti-violence network calls on Maori, Radio New Zealand, 18.11.2014

Most domestic abusers had violent childhood – report, 3 News, 17.11.2014

Glenn Inquiry releases new report, Radio New Zealand, 17.11.2014

Alcohol and Distorted Views Implicated In Family Violence, Glenn Inquiry, 17.11.2014

Booze cause of family violence - inquiry, Stuff, 16.11.2014

Image: iStock