Adapting a men’s behaviour change program to online delivery using a developmental evaluation approach

Abstract

Men’s behaviour change programs constitute an important family violence intervention strategy. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions brought increased risk of family violence and service demand. When face-to-face groups became impossible under restrictive public health orders, the Men’s Behaviour Change Program provided by Relationships Australia Victoria was delivered using videoconferencing technology. We describe a developmental evaluation approach to the adaptation of the Men’s Behaviour Change Program to online delivery. Developmental evaluation can inform innovation in complex environments and emphasises learning and adaptation at program development phase. We demonstrate the application and utility of this approach to the rapid adaptation of social services for online delivery. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from participants, facilitators and external observers and subjected to regular collaborative review to inform practice development. The results point to a steep learning curve, during which facilitators and observers identified practices to support effective online delivery of the Program. The evaluation indicated that, following adaptations, Program objectives were achievable using this method of delivery and positive dynamics remained possible in online groups. This finding is consistent with the current No to Violence position that online men’s behaviour change programs have an important and ongoing role in the specialist family violence services sector.