NCJ Number
247402
Date Published
2012
Length
331 pages
Annotation
This book examines the results of evaluations of treatment programs for perpetrators of domestic violence ("batterers") in the context of the push for "evidence-based practice" and suggests a direction for the future of such programs.
Abstract
The results of batterer program evaluations show that these programs are attempting to effect positive behavioral change in a subgroup of men who have psychological problems that contribute to high program drop-out rates and resistance to attitudinal and behavioral change. This general statement, however, is tempered by agreement among researchers that not all batterers are the same, but it is not clear how to differentiate among them. Neither has it been determined that matching treatments to different types of batterers would be more effective than the prevailing approach. Still, within the emerging approaches, alternatives, and criticisms of batterer programs, an evolutionary process can be distinguished. The direction is toward gender-based, cognitive-behavioral approaches, accountability imposed through court oversight and sanctions, and a coordinated community response in extending batterer programs' impact and victim protections. An overarching awareness in this evolution is that community responses and social change are needed to reinforce and promote a positive model of domestic relations. One of the underlying arguments throughout this book is that batterer programs should be viewed in their broader context as part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, community-based approach. Dangerous, high-risk batterers must be accurately identified and appropriately controlled in protecting their victims. Other offenders must also be accurately assessed for programs tailored to their needs, and program effectiveness must be properly evaluated. This book includes a discussion of evaluation methodologies and intent and the promotion of practitioner-researcher collaboration. References and index