Arts & Social Sciences
Te Kura Kete Aronui

Abstract

Furness, J. (1993). From a victim's perspective: A multiple case study evaluation of an education programme for abusers. Unpublished Master of Social Science Thesis. Hamilton: University of Waikato.

This study evaluated the impact of the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Pilot Project men's education programme on participant's partners. A secondary objective was to investigate the relative usefulness of qualitative methodologies in understanding programme outcomes. The case study participants were nine Pakeha women whose court-mandated or sel-referred to the 26 week (52 hour) programme and were either living with their partners or retained an interest in the relationship. Face-to-face and telephone interviews using schedules of open-ended questions were conducted every two or three weeks for the duration of the programme or at other times as some women's circumstances changed. Behaviour Checklists measuring the frequency of physical and psychological abuse tactics were administered to participants and partners at programme entry and exit. The evaluation found men stopped the worst of their physical abuse but were less successful at stopping their psychological abuse. Women reported more serious abuse in interviews and on checklists than the men reported on checklists suggesting that victim's perspectives must be included if programme outcomes are to be reliably evaluated. The women's involvement with HAIPP was positive and supported the need for a co-ordinated community intervention to combat domestic violence. In-depth studies of men's programme content and process, and longtitudinal studies to understand men's and women's programme effect are suggested.