Voluntary Group Programs For Men Who Use Violence: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence remains a pervasive issue globally, affecting individuals, families, and communities at alarming rates. While interventions have traditionally focused on supporting victims and survivors, including court-mandated behavioral change programs for men who perpetrate violence, there is a growing need to explore voluntary programs for men who use violence. This reflects a broader shift toward prevention, education, and support rather than a sole focus on reactive measures. By engaging men before violence escalates or becomes more frequent, these programs may offer a valuable opportunity to reduce harm, promote healthier behaviors, and ultimately create safer communities. This review assesses the current state of knowledge and identifies gaps in voluntary group programs for men who use violence. A scoping review was undertaken to better understand the current state of knowledge in the scholarly literature on voluntary programs for men who use violence. Thirteen studies meeting the eligibility criteria (published from 2014 to June 2025) were included for analysis after systemically sourcing articles from four databases and screening them using transparent inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies were selected based on their relevance to voluntary, non-court-mandated interventions. The findings demonstrate significant gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the ability of voluntary programs to foster sustained and meaningful behavior change. While some studies reported positive short-term outcomes, such as increased self-awareness and improved relationship dynamics, the long-term impact of these programs remains uncertain. In addition, challenges in participant engagement and retention were frequently reported, further complicating the evaluation of program effectiveness.