This report presents findings from a study examining how domestic and family violence (DFV) perpetrator intervention programs respond to intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV).

The need for focused attention on sexual violence as part of reforms to address DFV is highlighted for example, in both the National plan to end violence against women and children 2022-2032, and the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence. The need for increased attention on sexual violence reflects that it is an under-reported form of DFV, and is a sign of escalating abuse and heightened risk including risk of lethality (RCFV 2016; Bagwell et al. 2015). Further, IPSV has unique impacts that are different to the harms of both non-sexual intimate partner violence, and sexual violence perpetrated by other assailant types.

This report draws on survey responses from 97 practitioners who work across DFV perpetrator intervention programs. This includes practitioners working with DFV perpetrators, DFV victim-survivors (through for example family safety contact work), trainers involved in delivering training to practitioners working in DFV perpetrator intervention programs, and other professionals involved in the design and development of DFV perpetrator intervention programs.