Abstract
M.A. (Social Work)
Domestic violence is an enduring social problem in South Africa and calls for a competent response to reduce the high rates of its occurrence (Kruger 2006). The South African government has taken legal action to deal with this issue through the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998. However, this legal reform alone is insufficient to reduce domestic violence, which is still prevalent. There have been other strategies and programmes developed as social interventions to domestic violence. In recent years, some quarters have called for intervention with perpetrators of domestic violence. There is much contention with regard to the efficacy of working with perpetrators, thus this study aims to contribute to this debate by examining the effectiveness of the Perpetrator for Intimate Partner Violence (PIPV) programme. This programme evaluated was profeminist oriented and presented by NICRO as a condition to a Non-Custodial Sentence. Hence, the programme was coupled with suspended sentences for intimate partner violence perpetrators to rehabilitate offenders. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PIPV programme in promoting positive gender relations and preventing further domestic violence. A sample of eight respondents, including four perpetrators and four victims of intimate partner violence, were interviewed. The pilot study couple was also included in the final analysis. The study was qualitative and evaluative in nature. The results of the study revealed that physical violence did stop after programme completion but other forms of domestic violence were only reduced ...