Programs for perpetrators.

The idea of preventing nonconsensual sex by rehabilitating perpetrators is beginning to spread from industrialized countries to the developing world. Thus, recommendations on how to make these treatment programs most effective could not be more timely.

The effectiveness of efforts to rehabilitate perpetrators of nonconsensual sex is largely unknown. But most efforts focus on discussing gender roles in society and teaching perpetrators how to take responsibility for their actions, cope with anger and stress, and empathize with others. (1) According to a recent international review by the University of London, (2) evaluations of treatment programs suggest they work best if they also:

* continue for longer rather than shorter periods;

* change men's attitudes enough so they can discuss their behavior;

* sustain men's participation; and

* collaborate with criminal justice systems.

One promising developing-world pilot program that incorporates these recommendations is Brothers for Change, established in the parish of St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, in 1999 by the Jamaican Family Planning Association (FAMPLAN).

The idea of Brothers for Change was conceived after family planning providers in St. Ann's Bay repeatedly noticed that female clients experienced sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, and other gynecological disorders in association with nonconsensual sex and other forms of domestic violence. In response, FAMPLAN began collaborating with local probation officers, correctional services, and judges to offer group counseling to male perpetrators referred to the program by the courts. (3) All men were expected to attend counseling sessions held by FAMPLAN staff and probation officers at least once a week for 20 weeks. During the sessions, movies and discussions were used to increase the men's awareness of the consequences of their actions and to identify better ways to behave, reports Pauline Pennant, the program's former coordinator.

More than 40 perpetrators participated in Brothers for Change between 1999 and 2000, says Pennant. Through a community campaign, FAMPLAN has also reached more than 3,000 additional adolescent boys and men in schools, youth groups, churches, correctional facilities, and other venues. (4)

Through a survey-based program evaluation, FAMPLAN social workers identified several indicators that the program was working for regular participants. For example, men's partners reported that they were less violent. Also, the men were increasingly able to identify various forms of violence, control their anger, and take responsibility for their actions. According to Pennant, results of the evaluation also suggested that the program could be improved by collaborating more extensively with the criminal justice system and, given more resources, by working with partners and families of perpetrators and by increasing monitoring and evaluation of its activities. Initial funding for Brothers for Change ended in 2002, and probation officers in St. Ann's Bay have since taken over the program's counseling component. "We feel, however, that this is a very necessary program given the rising levels of domestic violence in Jamaica," says Peggy Scott, executive director of FAMPLAN.

References

(1) Krug EG, Dahlberg LL, Mercy JA, et al., eds. World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2002.

(2) Mullender A, Burton S. Reducing Domestic Violence: What Works? Perpetrator Programmes. London, UK: Policing and Reducing Crime Unit, Home Office, 2000.

(3) International Planned Parenthood Federation. Brothers for Change: working with male perpetrators of violence in Jamaica. Forum 2001;15(1):2-3.

(4) International Planned Parenthood Federation.