CHANGE INDICATORS IN AN INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE OFFENDERS INTERVENTION PROGRAM

The aim of the present study is to assess an offender community-based intervention program (Programa Contexto), by using as success indicators the changes in three targets traditionally taken into account in interventions with this type of population (responsibility assumption, attitudes towards partner violence against women - in particular, the perceived seriousness of this type of violent situations - and the evaluation of the risk of recidivism). Moreover, the changing capacity of these three indicators and the program dosage to predict reconviction is analyzed through official data. The sample consists of 318 men without criminal records who have been convicted for partner violence to less than two years of prison suspended upon attendance to an intervention program. After the intervention, the change indicators are thoroughly checked. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the perceived seriousness of partner violence against women, the recidivism risk and the program dosage received help to predict reconviction. However, the change in responsibility assumption is not linked to recidivism. The need to have into account this outcome in the design of interventions in this field is also underlined.