Responding to coercive control in criminal justice domestic violence perpetrator programmes in England and Wales: Conceptual, operational, and methodological complexities

Renehan, Nicole

Abstract

Evaluations of domestic violence perpetrator programmes have not produced evidence that they are as effective at reducing male, non-violent, coercively controlling behaviours. This article proposes such limitations are understood by adopting a more complex conceptualisation of coercive control for which the reasons are both gendered and biographically unique. Drawing on document analyses and in-depth interviews with eight programme facilitators and an in-depth case study of one male participant, this article explores the merits and limitations of the cognitive behavioural, skills-based criminal justice programme, Building Better Relationships, in addressing coercively controlling behaviours. The dual (re)conceptualisation of coercive control proposed has implications for both practice and programme evaluation methods.

Citation

Renehan, N. (2023). Responding to coercive control in criminal justice domestic violence perpetrator programmes in England and Wales: Conceptual, operational, and methodological complexities. Probation Journal, 70(3), 242-260. https://doi.org/10.1177/02645505221141952

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 8, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Dec 8, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-09
• Deposit Date: Jan 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 9, 2023
• Journal: Probation Journal
• Print ISSN: 0264-5505
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-3079
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 70
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 242-260
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02645505221141952
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1183325