Frequently Asked Questions
What is a perpetrator intervention or MBCP?
The term perpetrator intervention or men's behaviour change program (MBCP) is used to describe actions, initiatives, strategies, and responses aimed at increasing or promoting the safety of women and children through responses to men who are at risk of, or using violence, controlling and abusive behaviours, perpetrator intervention or MBCP's can be either voluntary or mandated.
Why aren't online programs widely available?
There isn't enough evaluation or data to support the effectivness of online programs. While there are benefits to attending programs online, such as reducing the need to travel, lessening of work impacts (e.g. FIFO) and increased convenience to participants, there are potential negative impacts that need to be taken into account.
​
When we use video calling some of our non-verbal communication is lost as we can only see what is presented on the video in front of us, this may lead to an increased potential of misunderstanding.
​
Technology issues can interfere with the video call and therefore impact the group sessions, such as the internet dropping out leading to some discussion being missed or mis-heard.
​
Issues regarding confidentially arise, when attending a group session in person the organisation is responsible for ensuring the space is appropriate, comfortable, private, and free of interruptions. When sessions are provided online this can no longer be managed by the organisation, this becomes problematic in group sessions if conversations can be over-heard by others.
​
And lastly, humans are instinctively social, when people are in the same physical space together, working on the same thing, they build a connection. The group sessions and associated learning becomes a shared experience and will therefore have a greater impact on participants.
Why do the programs go for so long?
Much of the work done in Perpetrator Intervention/Men’s Behaviour Change/Domestic Violence programs requires a substantial amount of personal reflection, this simply cannot be achieved in a short space of time.
​
Research has demonstrated that spacing out sessions over a longer period of time improves long-term memory.
​
Ultimately any type of behaviour change is complicated and complex, it requires a person to disrupt a current way of behaving and thinking while simultaneously learning and developing a new set of actions. Additionally, participating in group sessions for men's behaviour change allows individuals to develop deep bonds and connections with others in similar circumstances. These sessions create a supportive environment where participants can share experiences, gain understanding, and grow together, contributing to meaningful and sustainable personal development.
This process takes time, and research suggests it takes around six months or longer for sustained behaviour change.
What is the difference between perpetrator intervention and anger management?
Anger management interventions are not effective in addressing family and domestic violence.
​
Anger Management programs are designed to assist clients in understanding their emotions, stress management, and communication skills. Anger Management programs do not focus on interpersonal relationships and power imbalances that are present in family and domestic violence.
​
Family and domestic violence programs focus on issues of power and control that drive family and domestic violence and the impacts on the individual, the family and community.
​
People who use family and domestic violence will use various methods to gain and maintain control. Coercive control may include physical violence, humiliation, isolation, financial control, emotional abuse, threats to children and pets, suicide threats and pressured or forced sex.
​
Perpetrator Intervention/Men’s Behaviour Change/Family and Domestic Violence programs are deliberate and purposeful interventions that are designed with the goal to end the patterns of violence and abuse with family and domestic violence. Each program is specific and structured to adhere to well researched best practices with a focus on ending abusive and violent behaviour.