Less to Lose and More to Gain?: Men and Boys Violence Prevention Research Project: Final Report

This research project was commissioned by FACS to advance the implementation of the VAW reforms and to complement the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (Commonwealth of Australia 2009). This study has been commissioned as one of three studies funded under the Domestic and Family Violence Funding Program, with each study focusing on one of three prevention outcomes: ”¢ Men are supported to be non-violent; ”¢ High risk groups and communities are safe and free from violence; and, ”¢ Children are supported and inter-generational violence is averted. The research study focusing on men and boys addressed the following questions: 1. What is the effectiveness of existing approaches, strategies and projects that aim to prevent violent behaviour of men and boys throughout Australia? 2. What are the characteristics of good practice in men and boys’ primary prevention and early intervention? 3. What strategies and programs should be developed to build on existing good practice? 4. What exemplar or demonstration projects could be implemented in NSW to advance practice? How would this be evaluated? This report provides a comprehensive analysis of current men and boys’ violence primary prevention and early intervention evidence, conceptual frameworks and trends in good practice. It reviews current men and boys’ primary prevention and early intervention approaches, strategies and projects against good practice standards. The evaluation of two primary prevention programs provides case studies of best practice. The report also provides recommendations for future directions in furthering primary prevention of VAW by focussing on engaging men and boys.