In Australia, programs are in place to train perpetrators of intimate partner violence in behavior modification, while in Korea, legislative gaps lead to victims often having to leave their homes.
In a recent initiative in Australia, the non-profit organization No to Violence (NTV) is implementing programs aimed at modifying the behavior of male perpetrators of intimate partner violence. Their training emphasizes that violence is a choice and promotes the development of safe partnerships. NTV, which has been operating since 1992 and is based in Melbourne, collaborates with various institutions, including police and government agencies, to establish national standards for programs that aim to change the behavior of these perpetrators. The organization also provides a 24-hour counseling service where men can reach out for support, further integrating their services into the response framework for domestic violence cases.
At a recent gender-based violence response exchange project held in Melbourne, researchers and officials from both Australia and Korea shared insights on their respective efforts to combat such violence. Dr. Kim Hyo-jung from the Korean Women's Policy Institute highlighted the stark contrast in approaches, noting that in Korea, there is currently insufficient legislative framework to handle violence among unmarried intimate partners. While discussions are ongoing to address these gaps, there is a critical lack of focused educational programs for male perpetrators in Korea, and institutions aimed at preventing violence are few and far between. This situation underscores the pressing need for systematic change in how gender-based violence is addressed in Korea.
The limitations in Korea's response mechanism mean that while protective measures can sometimes be implemented through social service obligations post-incident, they often come too late to prevent further violence. By contrast, Australia’s proactive measures to reshape the mindset of male offenders reflect a deeper systemic understanding of domestic violence as a societal issue. As both countries seek to improve their respective approaches, the exchange of knowledge and strategies between them could be vital in advancing effective responses to gender-based violence.
