A new analysis from Griffith University has identified significant research and policy gaps in programs for male perpetrators of domestic and family violence across the Indo-Pacific region, where DFV rates are among the highest in the world. Researchers conducted the first scoping review centered on the area, mapping existing intervention programs for men who use violence. The study examined how these programs operate in practice and where opportunities for cross-regional learning and collaboration exist.
The findings underscore a critical disconnect: despite the severity of the problem, the Indo-Pacific lacks coordinated research and policy attention on perpetrator-focused interventions. Most existing work has historically concentrated on survivors rather than those causing harm. The researchers emphasize that addressing this imbalance is essential for reducing overall DFV rates, as prevention efforts cannot succeed without effectively targeting perpetrators.
Griffith University's team reviewed program structures, delivery methods, and outcomes, though specific data on participant numbers or effectiveness remain scarce in the literature. The scoping review highlighted that many programs operate in isolation, with little standardization or evaluation. This fragmentation limits the ability to scale successful approaches or identify best practices across diverse cultural contexts within the region.
The study calls for increased investment in perpetrator-focused research and policy frameworks tailored to the Indo-Pacific's unique social and cultural dynamics. Without such efforts, the region risks perpetuating a cycle where violence remains under-addressed at its source. The researchers suggest that collaborative networks between countries could help bridge these gaps, though they caution that culturally sensitive adaptations are crucial.
Some experts note that focusing on perpetrators can be politically and socially sensitive, potentially diverting resources from survivor support services. Balancing these priorities remains a challenge, as does ensuring programs are implemented with rigorous evaluation standards from the outset.