Citation

Goldman J, Du Mont J. Eval. Program Plann. 2001; 24(3): 297-305.

Affiliation

Centre for Research in Women's Health, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 790 Bay Street, 7th Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada. (email: j.dumont@utoronto.ca)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0149-7189(01)00020-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper advocates for research to provide richer insight into women's perceptions of batterer programs. We summarize batterer program evaluation research that has predominantly focused on program format, treatment completion, abusive behaviors and attitudes post-program, and has superficially examined female partners' views on program effectiveness. The purpose of this review is to highlight the research questions that have been addressed, the inconclusive nature of the findings, and the subsequent need for further exploration of pertinent concerns. We discuss some of the conceptual and methodological issues that may have contributed to these gaps in knowledge. Finally, we propose a complementary woman-centered and qualitative approach for evaluating the effectiveness of male batterer programs. This approach emphasizes women's needs, opinions, and experiences.