Focus Groups organized by Centro Ascolto Uomini Maltrattanti (CAM) in Italy

The 5 Focus Groups realized involved a total of 42 professionals. Among the professions involved are Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Nurses, Lawyers.

The main objectives of focus groups were to be able to explore training needs with respect to situations of gender-based violence, attitudes towards author programs and what challenges/obstacles they face as a service whenever they come into contact with the authors or victims. In order to achieve these objectives, cases of violence in emotional relationships were presented and commented on.

Although work with victims is necessary and of fundamental importance, the Services recognized that the work carried out with the perpetrators is fundamental and integral in the fight against and combating violence.

In order to motivate authors of domestic violence to be able to start paths out of violence according to the services, it is necessary to recognize the pain they feel in hurting their families and their sense of helplessness in not being able to stop using violence.

Although they consider it essential not to justify violence, they consider it necessary not to confront men with ways of making judgments about what is right and wrong but, to connect to the sense of pain they feel and to accompany them in sending authors to the Centers as hope for them, to be able to embark on the path of escaping from violence and reoffending.