Can people change?

If my ex was a toxic person, for example.... He used to call me names, put me down, tell me he hated me, our sex life was almost non existent, he used to kick me out all the time, he physically hurt me then said he didn't do anything, he made no effort in the relationship, would speak bad about my friends, he used to blame things on me and call me lazy even though I did everything for him.

I'm just wondering if a person like that could change, or if I was to blame for the way he was? He wasn't very nice to his other ex either. I don't want to get back together with him but I want to be civil with him as we have a child together. Could he change or is that just the way he is?