Psihosocijalni tretman počinitelja nasilja u porodici: mogućnosti, izazovi i efekti
Psychosocial Treatment of Domestic Violence Perpetrators: Opportunities, Challenges and Effects

Summary/Abstract: Previous practice and professional experience in dealing with cases of domestic violence were rather unilateral; assistance was directed towards women-victims of violence, while perpetrators of violence were punished and violence was repeated. A “new” approach has made a serious change in understanding the problems and ways of providing assistance, not only to the victim, but also to the perpetrator of violence. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of treatment of abusers, the capacities, preparedness and training of experts for such a demanding work. As work with perpetrators of violence is one of the most complex professional tasks, the primary aim of this research is to examine the challenges and problems they are facing, as well as their attitudes about the effects of psychosocial treatment. The paper considers the theoretical analysis of violent behaviour, examining major micro-macro causes, such as personality, psychopathology, family and social causes as risk factors of violent behaviour. For the purpose of comparison, experiences of other countries in the psychosocial treatment of abusers, as well as professional achievements and treatment success, are provided. The research was conducted with experts-psychologists and social workers in social work and mental health centres in the Sarajevo Canton, directly working on the problem of domestic violence, especially in the psychosocial treatment of perpetrators of violence. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires created for this research were the methods used. Results of the research identified several problems in the psychosocial treatment of the perpetrators: a small number of perpetrators who were imposed a compulsory psychosocial treatment, insufficient training of professionals and a lack of cooperation among institutions.

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