Assessing men's readiness to engage in domestic violence treatment programmes (DVTPs) in Northern Ireland

Despite the lack of treatment readiness six men completed the IDAP, but two completers continued to blame their victims for their violent behaviours. This finding highlights how completion of a DVTP does not guarantee positive change, a finding previously established (Feder et al. 2008). Outcomes for the twelve IDAP participants were influenced by the group dynamics of: universality; cohesion; and therapeutic factors; and whether participants ceased or continued to abuse alcohol or other mood-altering substances, for the duration of the IDAP.

This study established that using an assessment of treatment readiness, as a criterion for IDAP participation, would have denied 11 men an opportunity to change their domestically violent behaviours. The assessment of treatment readiness, based upon participant narrative, would have been counterproductive. An assessment of domestically violent mens’ current substance abuse would be highly recommended.