Female Counselors and Male Perpetrators of Violence Against Women

Abstract

Women who work with male perpetrators of violence against women such as batterers and sex offenders face unique challenges in their roles as counselors. This article explores some of the issues female counselors face in counseling male perpetrators of violence against women. The manner in which gender, gender role, therapist characteristics, ethnicity, counselor power, racism, countertransference reactions, and relationship with a male co-facilitator interact to impact on the counseling process and the female counselor is discussed. Recommendations are made to assist beginning counselors as well as women who practice in this area.

Key Words:

• Violence
• sex offenders
• male perpetrators
• Asian women
• Indian women
• domestic violence
• abuse