Group therapy for female perpetrators of intimate partner violence : the impact and prevalence of trauma

Despite limited research into female perpetration of intimate partner violence (FPIPV), 21% of reported family violence offences in Tasmania (2021-2022) were reportedly committed by women (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2023a; Kernsmith, 2006). Despite gender differences in treatment needs, limited research has tailored group treatment options specifically to female aggressors (Bell, 2019). Research suggests that exposure to trauma may significantly influence FPIPV, with the severity of trauma symptoms related to an increased likelihood of expressing anger towards others (Swan et al., 2005). The current study had three primary aims. Firstly, to examine whether pre-program trauma symptoms were significantly different between FPIPV perpetrators and a non-violent community sample. Mean scores on the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (TSC-40) and Adverse Childhood Experiences scale were greater for IPV offenders than for the community sample; however, this difference was not significant. The second aim was to examine whether a DBT?informed group program designed specifically for FPIPV would result in improvements in both IPV-related behaviours and trauma symptoms. Improvement was reported for the experimental condition in IPV-related behaviours indicating that further examination was warranted into the role of trauma symptoms. Clinically significant change was reported for trauma symptoms (TSC-40) when comparing the experimental condition pre and post program. The third aim was to examine whether improvement in trauma symptoms had a significant effect on changes in IPV-related behaviours. The findings did not indicate that changes in trauma symptoms are a significant predictor for changes in IPV-related behaviours. The findings of the current study suggest that treatment for female offenders should account for trauma symptoms to provide maximum benefit, which may occur utilising a DBT-informed group program (Worthington, 2012). Whilst change in trauma symptoms was not found to exert a significant effect on change in IPV-related behaviours, it is suggested that several limitations impacted the statistical significance of these findings. Therefore, additional research into the relationships between IPV and trauma is necessary to improve understanding of FPIPV, informing best treatment practices and resulting in lower rates of recidivism.