Intervention programme for fathers who use domestic and family violence: Results from an evaluation of Caring Dads

Abstract

This article presents findings from an evaluation of a trial of the Caring Dads programme in an Australian jurisdiction. Caring Dads is a nonmandated group-based programme for fathers who have been physically and/or emotionally abusive towards their children, their children's mothers or both. The programme aims to engage men around their fathering and is ultimately vested in and focused on children's safety, well-being and the intrinsic link this has with the safety of the mother. Fathers undertaking the programme (n = 40), and associated mothers (n = 17), participated in a mixed-methods self-report questionnaire administered at programme commencement and conclusion. This article presents findings related to change in fathers' use and mothers' experiences of domestic and family violence, shared parenting experiences, mother safety and levels of psychological distress between the two points of data collection. Results align with those produced by other national and international Caring Dads evaluations and show overall positive outcomes for mother experiences of violence, psychological well-being and safety, along with fathers' increased awareness and understanding of what constitutes abusive behaviour. Implications for father-focused interventions around domestic and family violence and the role of victim-survivor voices in delivering and evaluating father and family-focused interventions are discussed.