What Works in reducing intimate partner violence recidivism

Abstract

This Chapter draws on the empirical literature to describe the nature of intimate partner violence (IPV) and how traditional explanations of IPV fit the data and guide interventions that aim to reduce recidivism. The gender inclusive and bi-directional nature of IPV is described before noting how feminist theory has formed the predominant approach to the design of interventions, which have typically had low levels of success in preventing recidivism. The impact of feminist theory on the Risk, Need, Responsivity framework in the treatment of IPV is considered before presenting alternative and more promising approaches for intervention that fit with data that shows IPV is a gender-inclusive phenomenon.