Carrots, Sticks and Change: The voice of men and ethical considerations when engaging involuntary clients in Domestic Abuse Interventions

Domestic abuse interventions, or ‘domestic abuse perpetrators programmes’ often involve working with individuals who are mandated or are coerced into attending programmes connected with criminal justice or family protection processes, often, as Trotter (2022) describes as being ‘involuntary clients.’ This presentation examines the complex balance between coercion and motivation in enabling meaningful behavioural change when working with domestically abusive individuals. Research around ‘what works’ in perpetrator interventions have largely neglected the ‘how’ they are experienced and understood by participants and how to optimise effectiveness (Hughes, 2017).

Drawing on research with the voice of men undertaking a one to one domestic abuse behaviour change programme, this presentation explores how strategies rooted in accountability and incentives to support engagement can be integrated to enhance participation and positive outcomes. This presentation critically outlines the ethical and practical challenges of working with challenging client groups, highlighting tensions between public protection, professional responsibility and therapeutic alliance. Attention is given to the voice of men as programme participants and how they respond to being permitted to maintaining dignity, respect and are treated with unconditional positive regard whilst practitioners firmly challenge often devastatingly harmful attitudes and behaviours.

Through research findings, this presentation illustrates how engagement is not achieved through compliance alone, but through fostering motivation, by developing relational trust and a sense of individual agency. It argues that effective practice requires both clear boundaries and a professional approach that resists dehumanisation.