Treatment facilitators experiences of delivering an online domestic violence perpetrator programme

Whilst research on treatment effectiveness with domestic violence perpetrators is evolving, there remains a limited understanding of the experiences of treatment providers. The perspectives of these professionals can be crucial as they navigate the complexities of intervention strategies, client engagement, and the broader context of treatment provision. This paper explores the experiences of five facilitators who delivered the online community-based Choose2Change programme by Relate (an organisation which provides counselling, support, and courses within the context of relationships). The study employed an explorative, qualitative method focused on individual treatment providers’ experiences to gain reflective insight into online treatment delivery, with consideration of facilitators and barriers to treatment efficacy and impact. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was applied by the lead researcher (first author), whilst the second author conducted external auditing analysis, enhancing rigour and credibility. The analysis generated two superordinate themes: ‘With challenge comes reward’, and ‘Impacts and protective mechanism’. The findings indicate that despite encountering challenges to online treatment delivery, the treatment providers reported finding their work rewarding and conducive to personal growth. They emphasised the importance of peer support and self-care in effectively managing their experiences. These findings enrich the evidence base regarding the delivery of perpetrator programmes, particularly within the context of online treatment delivery – an area that has not been extensively explored. The study provides recommendations to enhance organisational and clinical practices, emphasising the need for strong support and ongoing professional development for treatment providers to ensure their wellbeing and maximise benefits.