1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«Our study sought to identify how a small group of fathers participating in BIPs [batterer intervention programs], view the consequences of their violence on their children and how they sought to protect them from the violence and mitigate the destructive effects of their violence on them.» (p. 271)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«Are they aware of their children’s exposure to violence and of the impact of the violence on them? Do they attempt to mitigate the negative effects of their violence on their children?» (p. 264)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«Two agencies offering BIPs, one in New Brunswick and the other in Quebec, participated in the study.» (p. 264) The sample contains 21 fathers who were volunteered for the study.

Instruments :
Guides d’entretien semi-directif

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

The results show that «[a]lmost all men expressed feelings of regret and sadness as they thought about how their violence might have affected their children or their relationship with them in negative ways. The most frequently mentioned consequences of exposure to violence were fear, insecurity, and behavioral problems. Almost all of the fathers mentioned that, since participating in the BIP, they have tried to avoid any violent outbursts by using the techniques learned in the group. Some sought other professional help or tried to avoid being violent in front of the children. Finally, many fathers reported that they had made attempts to mitigate the negative effects of the IPV by talking about the violence with their children. Some had more in-depth conversations, but others simply expressed to their children that they were sorry. A few tried to lessen their responsibility, and a few others revealed they had not talked with their children about the violence.» (p. 271) «However, they would clearly benefit from a targeted intervention that would help them to empathize with their children and to initiate meaningful and supportive conversations with them regarding their inappropriate and damaging behavior.» (p. 275)