Exploring the experiences of a South Asian client and facilitators of men's behaviour change programmes in Western Australia

The doctoral thesis investigates the perspectives of both facilitators and a South Asian participant involved in men's behaviour change programs addressing intimate partner violence (IPV). Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the study reveals that facilitators observed South Asian clients often held patriarchal beliefs, engaged in victim-blaming, and adhered to rigid gender roles, with limited acknowledgment of their abusive behaviours. The South Asian client acknowledged these ingrained patriarchal views but noted positive personal changes resulting from the program, attributing this progress to the facilitators’ effective attributes. The research suggests that men’s behaviour change programs can shift attitudes among South Asian clients and recommends a combined approach of mandatory individual counselling and group interventions, alongside enhanced facilitator training, to better address the cultural nuances and needs of this demographic.

• Date Published: 2024