Perpetrator rehabilitation programs in Italy: distribution, intervention models, and evaluation practices

Abstract

Objective: gender-based violence is a multifaceted issue requiring interventions that address both victim protection and perpetrator behavior. This study aimed to map the presence, characteristics, and intervention approaches of Centers for Men who Commit or are at Risk of Committing Violence (CUAV) active in Italy as of May 2025. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional mapping was conducted through document analysis and data collection from regional and national networks. Information on organizational structure, intervention typologies, and assessment practices was systematized and compared with data from 2022. Results:
findings show a 36% increase in the CUAV network since 2022, with 128 centers and 190 service points, covering all Italian regions except Valle d’Aosta. Most centers operate with multidisciplinary teams, mainly composed of psychologists and psychotherapists, though only six provide language mediators. Group-based psychoeducational interventions prevail, focusing on accountability, reduction of violent behaviors, and promotion of prosocial alternatives. However, fewer than half of the centers tailor interventions to individual criminogenic needs, and treatment duration data remain largely unavailable. Risk assessment is conducted in 84 CUAV, though standardized procedures are lacking. Conclusions: the study highlights significant heterogeneity in theoretical frameworks, intervention models, and evaluation methods, underscoring the need for standardized, evidence-based protocols and longitudinal monitoring. It provides an updated overview of CUAV in Italy and a reference for comparison with similar international initiatives, contributing to a broader understanding of effective approaches to male perpetrators of violence.