This paper examines how feminist research and theorizing about domestic violence has been taken up in a condensed and selected way by professionals, leading to the promotion of ‘challenging’ men as the dominant intervention. The limitations of such interventions are discussed, particularly the ineffectiveness of group work programmes based on ‘challenging’, the ways in which such interventions serve to oppress women further, and the failure to provide appropriate services for women who are violent. The author illustrates her argument with case examples from her practice with men and women who both experience violence and are violent, offering an alternative approach which builds safety through cooperation and partnership.
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