Male Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators’ Perceptions of the Positives and Negatives of Peer Interactions in Group Batterer Intervention Programs

Abstract

Seventy-six adult male perpetrators of intimate partner violence enrolled in a batterer intervention program (BIP) were interviewed on their perspectives of the intra-BIP group peer interactions. A majority of participants endorsed positives aspects of working with peers in the group context. Only one negative aspect arose, namely, other group members who disrupted the BIP process in some way. More importantly, a minority of participants expressed indifference toward the group process. This study has implications for training of BIP facilitators and for future research on BIPs that helps to tailor the approaches these groups use to maximize client engagement.