[Sociodemographic, criminological and clinical profiles of perpetrators of domestic violence in France and Quebec: Comparative research].

Abstract

Domestic violence is now an international social issue. Although some countries have been slow to respond, many have developed interventions based on an empowerment approach. This article examines a number of psychological variables and their impact on the implementation of an accountability approach in a group of participants from France and Canada (Quebec). The variables examined are traumatic and dissociative symptoms, attachment and suicide risk. Although these factors are crucial, they have been little studied, even though they may have an impact on the quality of support provided to perpetrators of domestic violence. Objectives Our objectives were to identify the psycho-socio-criminological profiles of perpetrators of domestic violence who had attended a course or an intervention group. We also wanted to compare these two groups and their respective support in order to hypothesize about the implementation of an accountability process in relation to certain psychological variables. Method A total of 57 men were interviewed, 38 from France and 19 from Quebec, who completed questionnaires on attachment, suicide risk, traumatic and dissociative symptoms, and socio-demographic data. Results The French and Quebec groups of men were similar in terms of their socio-demographic profiles, but there were significant differences in the types of violence reported. The Quebec group reported more sexual violence than the French group, while the French group reported more physical violence than the Quebec group. There were no significant differences in the results of the questionnaires on attachment and suicide risk, but the questionnaires on traumatic and dissociative symptoms were significantly higher among the Quebec perpetrators of domestic violence. Conclusion These differences may be explained by differences in the recruitment sites, the level of self-reflection and the time between the act of violence and the research interview. Secondary prevention work needs to be carried out so that perpetrators of domestic violence can identify their difficulties and verbalise and mentalise the issues that affect them. In addition, the obligation to attend training courses on responsibility, as proposed in France, seems appropriate but not sufficient. Individual meetings with a counsellor or psychologist, as a complement to these courses or groups, could help to increase the level of responsibility for the act and encourage more in-depth work. This awareness could in turn reduce the risk of re-offending and intergenerational transmission.