Empathy and Moral Re-Engagement in Intimate Partner Violence Treatment Groups

• In Event: Restorative Justice Research

Abstract

I present findings on the experiences of participants in a restorative justice-based intimate partner violence (IPV) intervention program for men. This mixed-methods study examines data from 106 individuals charged with IPV-related offenses in Western Wisconsin in 2024. The quantitative component includes pre- and post-test assessments across low-, medium-, and high-risk groups, revealing significant changes in empathy, moral disengagement, and openness to dialogue with victims. Qualitative analysis of 15 participant interviews identifies key themes, including shame and stigma, curriculum elements that facilitated perspective shifts, social accountability, and empathy development.

Author

• Jacob Otis, University of Minnesota