Perpetrators of intimate partner violence need prompt help
People who commit domestic violence are at risk of repeating their behaviour. Research shows that it is crucial that perpetrators of intimate partner violence are met with understanding, not condemnation.
Intimate partner violence is violence committed by one of the people in an intimate relationship against the other. Most people naturally think that it is primarily the victims of intimate partner violence who should be met with care and support.
However, the manner in which the person who has committed the violence is treated can greatly influence what happens next.
“People who commit serious acts of domestic violence are generally at higher risk of repeating the violence,” said researcher Merete Berg Nesset.
In collaboration with Camilla Buch Gudde, she has conducted a study into how perpetrators of intimate partner violence experience the period after being reported to the police.
Nesset is a researcher at St. Olavs Hospital and an associate professor at NTNU. She is also a member of theHigh-Risk Team in Trøndelag Countya collaboration between Trondheim Municipality's unit for mental health and substance abuse, Trondheim Police District, the Support Centre for Victims of Crime and the State Children's Home Trondheim, as well as St. Olav's Hospital's Department of Security, Prison and Forensic Psychiatry. Gudde is a researcher at St. Olavs Hospital in the regional Competence Center Network for Security, Prison and Forensic Psychiatry (SIFER).
“What we see is that the initial period, directly after being reported to the police, is critical for whether the perpetrator will accept help or not,” Nesset said.
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Can lead to murder
The High-Risk Team is a collaboration between professionals in the police, municipal services and specialist health services in Trondheim. Since 2018, the team has provided coordinated services for victims, perpetrators and children involved in serious domestic violence cases.
In order to receive support from the team, a report must have been filed with the police regarding serious acts of domestic violence. In addition, the police must have assessed the case as having a high risk of repetition.
Merethe Berg Nesset is a researcher at St. Olavs Hospital and an associate professor at NTNU. She is also part of the High Risk Team in Trøndelag. Photo: Bennet
Gudde has conducted in-depth interviews with 13 perpetrators of intimate partner violence, all of whom were deemed eligible for help from the High-Risk Team. These are individuals who have committed serious acts of physical violence against their partners of a nature that might cause injuries requiring medical attention. In the worst case, this kind of violence can lead to murder.
“The starting point is that we do not have enough knowledge about which interventions work for whom, and under what circumstances,” explained Nesset.
Importance of individual assessment
Interventions aimed at reducing violent behaviour have had mixed results. The researchers believe there is an urgent need to rethink interventions to combat intimate partner violence.
They want to focus on interventions in which multiple agencies collaborate, involving both the victims and the perpetrators.
“People who perpetrate violence are just as diverse as everyone else. That is why it is important to conduct individual assessments to identify their specific needs – both in terms of providing support and healthcare, and in determining which interventions should be implemented to reduce the risk of recurrence.”
A key focus for the researchers was to understand how the perpetrators of intimate partner violence experienced the initial period after being reported to the police, before contact with the High-Risk Team. For some of the perpetrators, this period lasted weeks or even months.
“The perpetrators focused on what it was like not receiving information and not having the opportunity to express themselves. Not having a voice, nor any time frame. They felt prejudged,” said Gudde.
Skepticism towards the support system
The perpetrators also faced practical challenges, such as having nowhere to go, and worries about what would happen next.
“They did not know what would happen in terms of their family, their children, their home and their job. They spoke about emotional chaos,” said Gudde.
For some of the perpetrators, this led to reactions such as indifference and a feeling of having nothing left to lose.
“Some of them turned to substance use and violated restraining orders. Others described intense suicidal thoughts and experienced anger, frustration and a lack of trust in the police. A few received practical assistance, but felt that they did not receive support for the emotional stress they were experiencing,” said Gudde.
Camilla Buch Gudde is a researcher at St. Olav’s Hospital, a regional center of expertise for security, prison and forensic psychiatry. Photo: Private
The experience of the High-Risk Team is that many perpetrators of intimate partner violence are skeptical of and have little trust in the support system. To find out more, the researchers asked the perpetrators about their experiences of receiving help and support from the multidisciplinary team. · You might also like: Last year, nine people were killed by someone they once loved
Low-threshold services
The answers they received focused on the experience of being met with a holistic approach; about being seen as a person who struggles with anger issues, substance use and mental health problems, and not just as a perpetrator of intimate partner violence.
The people who perpetrate violence are just as different as everyone else. That is why it is important to have individual assessments, where you determine what their needs are. This is true for both support and health care, and with regard to what measures should be taken to limit the risk of recurrence, says Merethe Berg Nesset. Photo: Shutterstock / NTB
“Many of the perpetrators have experienced being dismissed and not taken seriously. They spoke about how important it was to be met with an open and non-judgemental attitude. That someone listens to them and tries to understand how they are feeling. This was crucial for them to continue accepting help and support,” explained Gudde.
The researchers also wanted to find out what the perpetrators themselves thought they needed in order to refrain from committing violence.
“Many of them mentioned early support and good information from the police. And that the support from the High-Risk Team should have started earlier, so as to avoid the difficult and critical period immediately after being reported,” said Gudde.
They called for low-threshold services for perpetrators of intimate partner violence, such as a crisis hotline.
“They need to establish trust and to have hope that things can improve. In this respect, the police have a golden opportunity to initiate a process that can motivate the perpetrator to accept help,” added Gudde.
Must dare to ask about violence
Nesset stresses that the police are currently working effectively and systematically to prevent intimate partner violence. The researchers now want the healthcare services to focus greater attention on the link between mental health disorders and the risk of committing violence.
“There is room for improvement in this area in the healthcare services. We know that the threshold is high for people to disclose that they are a victim of or have committed intimate partner violence,” said Nesset.
Violence is associated with shame, and the threshold for seeking help is high.
At the same time, research shows that both perpetrators and victims of intimate partner violence use the healthcare services a lot, without violence being an issue that is addressed. Healthcare workers must dare to ask about domestic violence, because the individuals involved will not bring it up themselves.”
The researchers are now conducting a study with people who have been victims of serious acts of intimate partner violence.
“We have interviewed victims of violence and are now working on analyzing the answers. This will help us understand what kind of help they need,” concluded Nesset.
Reference:
Gudde, C. B., Palmstierna, T., Whittington, R., & Nesset, M. B. (2025). A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Study of the Perpetrators’ Experiences. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605251355622
