Batterers

Male and Female Batterers and Victims with Alternative and Traditional Treatment Models for Varying Populations

Kurt LaRose MSW LCSW CHT CSW SUPERVISOR LICSW

Photo Credit: Photo by Kat J on Unsplash

This article was originally written in 2004 and updated in 2018. In 2018 the opening 14 paragraphs of the article were updated to address non-traditional batterers (women and LGBTQ populations for example), given that men are not the only population to batter others. The opening sections now include more recent literature and research discussing a wider variation of batterers in the general population, along with links to resources for population specific treatment options and limitations.

The remaining original article follows the updated paragraphs for those clients wishing to learn more about group batterer treatment program ideas with a discussion of what a male heterocentric treatment paradigm looks like, with examples given using a prototype format. Clients seeking batterer services individually (male, female and LGBTQ) are encouraged to read the updated sections below before scheduling.

Men who are arrested for battering their partners make up a relatively small percentage of the overall population; arrests do not accurately indicate prevalence for domestic violence, however the arrest numbers are higher for male batterers and for those considered to be in a minority group (such as men of color). Most batterer and domestic violence intervention models are based on the heterocentric world view, focusing on men as perpetrators and women as victims.

Heterosexual males are generally treated using the Duluth based model rooted in concepts such as the cycle of violence, the power and control wheel and the inequality wheel. Increasing literature and treatment models are emerging for women batterers and for batterers in the LGBTQ community, addressing the unique needs and variables at play for this minority group of batterers (see Wexler), because heterosexual males are not the only ones who perpetrate violence (and heterosexual females are not the only victims of domestic violence).

Men compared to women do have an advantage in what could be coined a biological power difference, largely because of muscle variations between the anatomy of males and females. Men generally (not always) in domestic violence relationships can and will overpower their female partners, as the batterers.

Batterers, whether they are male, female, straight, or LGBTQ batterers, often need specialty counseling services which are generally outside the scope of simple conflict resolution, assertiveness matters, boundary confusion, couples counseling, and basic improved communication tools.

Batterers usually should first be seen individually to assess what type of treatment is needed (the Duluth based model or a more contemporary Wexler based model) which includes research and literature that addresses non-conventional batterers, such as women who are violent and LGBT populations). The assessment would include a substance use disorder evaluation, given that there is a very high correlation between the use of substances and domestic violence, as well as a general mental health evaluation that also considers co-occurring mental health conditions. Financial matters, relationship history, stress and anxiety are other factors when conflicts result in battering.

Battering behavior invokes the emotions of victims who often enter mental healthcare with anxiety and depression like symptoms, along with PTSD and other presenting problems. Victims and perpetrators are both often reluctant to report violence due to their fears that counselors will have to report it (most do not, given the risks of reporting can lead to serious injury and even death to the victims). Too, there are clients who do self report or disclose violence, but because counselors may refuse to treat batterers or the counselor over reacts when a client first discloses, the batterer exits care.

When couples enter care for couples counseling, whether straight or LGBTQ, consideration for domestic violence and battering behavior must be included in the treatment trajectory. Here, it must be decided if individual sessions are indicated, if couples contracting and third party referrals are necessary, and whether the batterer can be treated as male, female or LGBTQ client anywhere near the community in which they live.

Batterers present treatment practitioners with a near insurmountable task. To treat the batterer and deem that they are no longer a threat to others is almost as difficult as it is to understand how a man chooses to abuse those he espouses to love. It is arguable as to whether or not the efficacy of batterer programs can really be determined, and once determined the most critical question becomes whether or not the assessments of batterer intervention programs are scientifically reliable and valid.

The definition of battering varies from state to state. For example in Colorado battering falls under the definition of domestic abuse and includes physical acts of violence, threatened acts of violence as well as psychological and emotional aspects of abuse (Corry, 2002). In Florida the statutes (as recently as 2004) were more limited in that there was no mention of psychological or emotional aspects of domestic abuse and the component of threats were not delineated (see Fla. §§ 741.28). On a national scale the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define domestic abuse and battering, in a context that is closer to the Colorado interpretation including broader dynamics of battering such as coercion (DHHS, 2003). DHHS and the CDC estimates the cost of intimate partner violence at $5.8 billion per year with $4.1 billion being spent on medical and mental health services (DHHS, 2003).

It is reported that once in every nine seconds a woman is beaten in the U.S. (Koppelman, 1996 as cited in Olson, 2004). The incidence of male battering ranges from 1.8 million cases (Straus & Gelles, 1990) to 5.3 million cases (“National Center for Injury Prevention,” 2003). There were 136,000 men arrested for male battering in the United States and 86% of them were court ordered into counseling programs (Hagen, 1998). The numbers on male victims are difficult to locate, even in 2018, and the numbers on LGBTQ populations are similarly hard to locate—in part due to under reporting; there is believed to be continued bias in arrests also such that even arrests are not accurate tallies.

Battering is not solely a male perpetrated phenomenon, because women batter as well (Stuart, Moore, Ramsey & Kahler, 2004; Henning & Feder, 2004). A much smaller treatment emphasis and a limited training platform exists when women are the batterers, and the same is true when LGBTQ members are the batterers. The limitation in covering all populations who batter is mainly due to educational institutions who continue (in 2018) to focus on the heterosexual males as the perpetrators. It is inaccurate to exclude female and LGBTQ populations from batterer intervention programs and from outpatient care; it is equally inaccurate to exclude males as victims of domestic violence, and limiting access to male victim treatment options. Limited provider competency to treat a varying population of batterers and victims may contribute to its perpetuation and add to its prevalence. There is a wealth of literature that exists related to male victims and women perpetrators of violence dating back many years—even as the provider network and educational dissemination of such information remains somewhat limited.

There are programs in the US that treat women batters and who train providers in treating minority batterer populations (see Wexler for example) To be sure, it is not only an issue for heterosexual relationships; homosexuals are both batterers and battered (Cruz, 2003). Women are victims in 85% of all domestic violence cases (Rennison, 2003).

While the issue of male batterers is a serious social problem with far reaching implications, its prevalence within the overall U.S. population is relatively small. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2004a) there are nearly 295 million people living in the U.S. Thus 5.3 million cases of domestic abuse represent 1.7% of the population. Seemingly a small problem in numbers, it is not so when looking at dollars. At an annual cost of $5.8 billion, the impact of battering costs every man, woman and child in the U.S. nearly twenty dollars per year.

All batterers and victims generally need supportive care. Most domestic violence programs are provided to women at no cost. Few male domestic violence programs exist in the US, and even fewer for male victims (straight or LGBTQ) are offered for free. Most batterers who are women or who are members of the LGBTQ community will generally need to find treatment in outpatient offices.

MALE BATTERER INTERVENTION TREATMENT SUMMARY AND LIMITATIONS

The demographics of both perpetrators and victims vary. Men who are batterers are likely to have witnessed or experienced physical abuse as children (Rosenbaum & Leisring, 2003); they are more likely to have been admitted to psychiatric emergency rooms or alcohol treatment programs (White, Gondolf, Robertson, Goodwin & Caraveo, 2002); there is a correlation between men who batter and being under the influence of substances (Leonard, 2001); and batterers frequently are living in poverty and/or have lower educational levels (Chase, O’Farrell, Murphy, Fals-Stewart & Murphy, 2003). Just as men who batter are likely to be under the influence of substances, the same is true of women who are the victims (El-Bassel, Gilbert, Schilling & Wada, 2000). Interestingly, there is a greater likelihood of continued battering for university-educated women compared to lesser-educated women (Johnson, 2003).

Research regarding various types of male batterer treatment programs suggests that there is no certain model that is more or less effective than others (Stith, Rosen, McCullom, & Thomsen, 2004; Tutty, Bidgood, Rothery, & Bidgood, 2001). Tutty and colleagues evaluated 15 male batterer treatment groups consisting of interventions based upon social learning theory, the feminist perspective, as well as psychoanalytic and self-help methods. There is some agreement as to the use of individual therapy versus group therapy; group treatment is generally accepted as the preferred method for treating male batterers (Reddin & Sonn, 2003; Tutty et al., 2001).

One model that appears frequently in the literature is the Duluth Model (Pence & Paymar, 1993 as cited in Stith, Rosen, McCullom, & Thomsen, 2004), a feminist perspective in treating male batterers (van Wormer & Bednar, 2002). Duluth is popular, in part, because it can easily be adapted to batterer intervention programs (BIP). Florida’s batterer intervention program, which mirrors many components of the Duluth model, encourages men to take full responsibility for their abusive behavior, to become sensitive to how it might feel to be the victim of battering, to see their partners as equals, to realize that battering can stop – for good, and it encourages batterers to confront their own need for power and control (“Program Content,” n.d.). And while the state of Florida never clearly says that its BIP mirrors Duluth components, a comparison of the Florida BIP (as governed by Florida’s Department of Children and Families) and the Duluth Model supports this supposition. For example, both programs focus aspects of treatment on the “Power and Control Wheel” and the “Equality Wheel” (see “Creating a Process of Change,” n.d.; “Wheel Gallery,” n.d.; “Declaration of Policy,” n.d., Orientation section), and both programs place emphasis on community involvement, social influences, and victim safety (see “Domestic Abuse Intervention Project,” n.d.; “Office of Domestic Violence Program,” n.d.).

Some researchers argue against models that utilize power and control and equality as the central themes to support why it is that men batter and their significance in treating batterers. Power, control, and equality, as presented in the Duluth Model are too simplistic, it is argued, in addressing male batterers’ array of issues; the two concepts can be associated with childhood victimization at the hands of caregivers and peers, posttraumatic stress, depression and other psychiatric disorders (Rosenbaum & Leisring, 2003). The male batterer literature, however, suggests that power and control are predictors to abusive behavior (Gerlock, 2001).

The Duluth Model is/are set up in such a way that the batterer is not enabled to use excuses to minimize responsibility for battering. Excuses that are utilized by batterers include lack of anger control and substance use. Research has shown that while substances can be a factor in domestic violence, it is not the cause of it (Forjuoh, Coben & Gondolf, 1998; Leonard, 2001).

Another common factor in providing treatment to batterers, while using Duluth concepts, is promoting equality between partners. Men who see their partners as equals are less likely to abuse them, and batterers who learn to be respectful and supportive are less likely to re-abuse (Gerlock, 2001). Likewise, BIP and Duluth do not focus on conjoint therapy for the batterer and the victim; in fact it is prohibited (likely going against the norm of many therapeutic techniques). The literature indicates that doing so puts women at increased risk of further abuse (Jory, Anderson & Greer, 1997).

One issue that confronts practitioners who must deal with abusive men is that many theories of treatment emphasize the circular relationship between clients and their partners; in essence therapists generally look at all parties in a relationship and treat clients from the didactic or systemic approach (Brogad, 1992 as cited in Jory, Anderson & Greer, 1997). The Duluth Model, on the other hand, requires practitioners to confront batterers and pursue the responsibility issue assisting batterers in assuming full and sole responsibility for battering behavior.

At issue in any treatment program, is efficacy. The literature is contradictory, at best, in regards to what intervention method is most beneficial for male batterers. Many batterer intervention programs have shown significant success rates (a cessation of battering) that are near 60% at thirty months post intervention (Gondolf, 2000). Gondolf (2000) evaluated four different batterer intervention programs, including those that utilize aspects of the Duluth Model, from different regions of the U.S. with a sample of over 600 men. His research indicated that the men were predominantly successful in no longer battering partners, and this finding remained constant whether or not the men were voluntarily enrolled in the programs, or court ordered.

Stith, Rosen, McCollum and Thomsen (2004) argue that there are problems with the Duluth Model, particularly in that it limits the ability of practitioners to develop interventions that meet the specific needs of batterers; treatment is not a “one size fits all” process. Stith and colleagues argue that couples therapy is effective when working with batterers and their partners evaluating a small sample of couples with the use of random assignment and a control group. The other argument against Duluth is that it is based upon an intervention that is rooted in the views and perspectives of the victims and it discounts those factors that cause abusive behavior to be exhibited by a batterer in the first place, such as childhood experiences (Rosenbaum & Leisring, 2003).

To be sure the debate about the preferred and most effective treatment modality for male batterers will not be settled here. But the need for treatment is clear. Last year, in the state of Florida for example, nearly 14,000 people were assisted in domestic violence shelters, and almost 210,000 people were counseled in domestic related matters (“Department of Children and Families,” 2004). According to the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) statistics, in Florida there are 137 different batterer intervention programs, in which 4,376 batterers were treated during the fiscal year of 2002-2003 (“Department of Children and Families,” 2004). For next year, OPPAGA reports that the Florida Legislature has budgeted $25.3 million for domestic violence related matters; the cost to Florida’s 17 million residents (U.S. Census Bureau, 2004b) will be more than $1.48 for every man, woman and child.

Obtaining data on the success/failure rates for Florida’s batterer intervention programs was unsuccessful in the preparation of this report. The lack of data on the batterer intervention programs in Florida may be in part due to BIP’s being stopped for a number of years and then re-instated in 1996. Arguably, the data needs to be gathered; it was easy to find the BIP monitoring guidelines, necessary forms for program implementation, fees, and educational requirements for staff that lead, supervise and evaluate batterer intervention programs for Florida. The one assessment of domestic violence programs in Florida that could be found, neglects to address batterer programs and the authors note “the program should collect information to assess whether its services help victims remain safe from domestic violence over the long term” (Stake, Alvarez & Turcotte, 2002). In other words, Stake et al. reveal that supporting data is not gathered. Why the state does not have data on batterer intervention program efficacy is unclear.

Male batterers comprise the largest percentage of perpetrators, and usually the victims are female. Women perpetrate battering behavior as well, as do members of the LGBTQ community. A commonly accepted model for treating male batterers is the Duluth Model, and it’s efficacy has been researched on a national level with mixed results. Florida’s male batterer intervention programs, and others in the US, are based upon Duluth ideology, however data on program efficacy in Florida is sparse, if it exists at all.

The Duluth Model is not without opposition, and research shows that the model can be problematic for certain batterers. It is dated, yet still it is the model of preference used by many, if not most therapists in the US. Many educational institutions continue to teach the Duluth Model even as there is an emerging literature and research base that suggests treatment should be geared to all perpetrators, whether they be male or female and for those who operate and live outside of a heterocentric paradigm.

The Wexler Model is more geared to variations in the perpetrator profile (that is to say there are different types of domestic violence perpetrations and they are inflicted by not only males, but by other populations and genders as well). Treatment of batterers, using the Duluth Model, often is counter-intuitive for therapists who are accustomed to assisting clients using a systems approach. The number of clients who are in need of male batterer treatment is significant nationally. Because of under reporting and non-diverse treatment models and providers who generally work in one treatment paradigm the exact number of under served and non-treated batterers (of both genders and varying orientations) would be nearly impossible to estimate. Conversely, the exact number of male victims would be nearly impossible to estimate.

More research on male batterer intervention programs is needed, however some research suggests that Duluth based programs have outcomes of success that exceed 50%; it’s use is warranted, while acknowledging that the program is limited. Duluth promotes client responsibility, and negates blame for battering related to substance use, anger problems, or victim behaviors (even as these are correlates to male battering). Power, control, and equality are key to helping batterers understand why it is they batter, and what it is they need to do, to stop, particularly with heterosexual male batterers.

Clients ask me these kinds of questions as I work them, both perpetrators and victims/survivors/thrivers. How do Batterers Groups Work? How do Batterers think and feel? Would that Look Like? What I like to do is to show them information like what follows here….

MALE BATTERERS PROTOYPIC GROUP TREATMENT SUMMARY: A working model for other professionals to consider in implementing group work services for batterers.

The following is a summary of what a typical male batterers intervention program (BIP) might look like and how it might work. The example below is for informational purposes only and it contains hypothetical scenarios. It may be useful information for male batterers who are seeking group treatment options and / or other professionals seeking to coordinate group programming. To get an idea of how BIP models function and what to expect the following prototype is included as a part of the literature review preceding this section. The following is based primarily on the Duluth Model framework for male batterers; the Wexler model is a more current view of domestic violence. This type of intervention would not be considered an appropriate model of care for women who are batterers, LGBTQ who are batterers and it would not be appropriate for anyone who is a victim of domestic violence (whether as a victim you are a male or a female).

For additional information regarding individual treatment options related to the varying populations who are both batterers and victims in domestic violence (regardless of your gender or your sexuality) please consider alternative intervention and treatment summary options as discussed here.

Prototypic Group: Male Batterers—for heterosexual men who batter and who prefer group counseling formats based on a power, control and an inequality model of care.

Synopsis: The six men who are in attendance are court ordered, or they face jail sentences. All of the men were randomly assigned to this particular group after attending a larger countywide Male Batterers Orientation a week ago. The orientation was the initial step, prior to beginning Male Batterers Treatment; this group is meeting for its first time. Several topics were addressed in the orientation that will be revisited in the group today:

1) Batterers can stop battering and do so permanently.

2) Batterers are fully responsible for their own behavior (not their spouses, not the judge, not drugs/alcohol, not their anger problem, etc. etc.); they can expect to hear this theme repeatedly.

3) Sexist, homophobic, or threatening comments are not allowed in group; if members persistently use such language termination from the group may become necessary. Members must come to group sober, and not be under the influence of other drugs.

4) Men who batter face two primary issues that underlie their abusive patterns: power and control; equality appreciation will be critical to ending batterer behavior.

5) Weekly contacts are made by the counselors with abused partners; what the partners disclose to the counselors, may/may not be disclosed to the batterers.

6) The batterers and their partners may not participate in couples/family counseling during the course of the Male Batterers Treatment program; if they are currently involved in this kind of therapy, it must be stopped prior to beginning treatment.

7) Battering during the course of treatment is not permitted; in the event the men do batter, they will be terminated from the program.

8) Participation is voluntary (the batterers may choose to come, or not), however if they do not finish treatment (and abide by the program guidelines) their probation officers (and abused partners) will be notified.

9) Meetings begin promptly at 7:00 pm; at 7:05 pm the door will be locked and members will not be able to attend group for the week that they are/were late.

10) The program is 24 weeks long; the men may miss up to three sessions, at which time they will be terminated from the group. Any missed sessions must be made up.

Group Criteria: The six men are court ordered and range in age from 18 to 39. There are 24 groups, meeting weekly for 1.5 hours; the group is closed. Two of the men are African American and four are Caucasian.

Overall Goal(s) of the Group: To empower the members to take responsibility for their abusive behaviors, and appreciate the impact that their behavior has upon their partners, their children, and other family and friends. The primary goal is to prevent future battering.

Specific Goal for today’s Group: To introduce the group facilitators, the group members, and to discuss concerns or comments from the orientation attended last week.

SOURCE: The above treatment design was derived from Florida’s Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP; www.myflorida.com) and is based upon the Duluth Model for treating male batterers (www.duluth-model.org). Other working models exist, such as Wexler, addressing female perpetrators, bi-directional violence in relationships, LGBT variables with couple treatment options as well.

<< Appendix B – Batterer Roles >>

Male Batterer #1

NOTE: Since you are going to play the role of a male batterer, it is important to remember that you have a history of beating your partner whenever you fight (you may decide if it’s a long history or you may decide if this is the first time it’s ever happened). You are jealous of how your partner spends time when away from you; you try to control your partner’s spending; you try to control your partner’s friendships; virtually everything your partner does is not good enough for you. And, if you’re not hitting your partner, you yell, you hit walls, you throw things, you threaten to hurt your partner; you threaten to take the kids (if you decide in your role you have kids); you threaten to not pay the bills (if you decide that you’re a breadwinner). In the final analysis, as far as you’re concerned, whatever you want your partner to do, whenever you want your partner to do it, you think that it should happen that way – and if you suddenly change your mind, your partner should comply.

Remember that if you fail at this group, you are going to go to jail; maybe you will go for a short time or for a long time (you decide). You also could be faced with losing your job (if you have one), or maybe your partner has said that they are leaving you if you don’t succeed at this (are you married? Is this your girlfriend?).

*************

Your general attitude for this group is “I DON’T LIKE THE RULES.” You are going to make a few comments about the rules of the program, which were highlighted in last week’s countywide orientation. Things you might dislike specifically are: having to be here and be on time each week, or get kicked out; having to attend 24 sessions; stopping counseling with your partner.

The main points you want to make in this group:

“Orientation sucked”

“There are too damn many rules in this program”

“I’m a grown man, and I can make my own decisions”

Theme: I DON’T LIKE THE RULES

Male Batterer #2

*************

Your general attitude for this group is “IT’S ALL HER FAULT.” You are going to make comments about how every time you hit your partner, she did something to cause it to happen; you are almost unable to see that you have done anything wrong, and during those times when you think you might have done something wrong (after you realize that you have hurt your partner or when you realize your partner is going to call the police), you continue to blame it on your partner. You tell your partner you’re sorry whenever you hit her and even buy gifts to show her how much you care for her; you also have made repeated promises to stop the violence and have been unable to do so for the many years you’ve been together.

You are to be persistent in your arguments in the group – you may decide to back down at some point, but then again, you may not. Whatever you decide, you should know that you have been charged many times for domestic violence, but this is the first time your partner has decided to NOT drop the charges against you. You’ve been in front of the judge, and you will go to jail for up to five years if you do not complete this program.

<< Appendix B – Batterer Roles (continued) >>

Some comments you want to make in this group are:

“Why would you want to call that bitch every week and talk to her?”

“I wouldn’t be in this stupid group if it weren’t for her”

“If she’d do what I tell her, our marriage would be just fine”

Theme: IT’S ALL HER FAULT

Male Batterer #3

*************

Your general attitude for this group is “I CAN’T WORK WITH A LADY COUNSELOR.” You are going to make comments to the male counselor (or other batterers) as often as you can; you are trying to avoid talking with the female counselor as much as possible. You don’t feel like you need to answer to women, and you don’t believe that women can be in positions of authority (and if they are in positions of authority you question how that is possible). It is important, in your role, to remember that you generally feel that because you are male you are an authority over women.

Some comments you want to make in this group are [trying not to address the female counselor]:

“Why do we have to have a lady in our group?”

“I don’t think this is a good place for a lady to be.”

“I cannot work with a lady counselor.” (The equality stuff they talked about at orientation is crap)

“Why should I talk to ‘what’s her name’?”

Theme: I CAN’T WORK WITH A LADY COUNSELOR

Male Batterer #4

*************

Your general attitude for this group is “I’M ONLY HERE BECAUSE OF THE JUDGE.” You are angry about being forced to attend group. You do not agree with the statement during orientation that says attendance is voluntary. You are facing a jail sentence and you believe that this is also the judge’s fault (and if not the fault of the judge, then it’s your partners fault).

Some comments you might want to make in this group are:

“How can they say this is voluntary when I’m ordered by a judge to be here?”

“I wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for the Judge!”

“That stupid cop had no business arresting me.”

“I could kill that cop/judge.”

Theme: I’M ONLY HERE BECAUSE OF THE JUDGE

Male Batterer #5

*************

Your general attitude for this group is “MY ANGER/MY DRINKING CAUSED IT ALL.” You are sure that if you could get into some kind of anger control class you could be cured. And if it’s not anger management problems, then it must be because you are usually drunk/high every time you hit your partner. You are struggling with the orientation idea that you are responsible for your own behavior.

Some comments you might want to make in this group are:

“If I could get help for my anger, I wouldn’t be here.”

“I’ve got such a bad temper, that’s all it is.”

“Okay, well maybe it’s not anger that’s the problem; it must be the beer.”

Theme: MY ANGER/MY DRINKING CAUSED IT ALL

Male Batterer #6

*************

<< Appendix B – Batterer Roles (continued) >>

You are the most well adjusted, compared to your peers. Your general attitude for this group is “I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS.” While you still have many of the beliefs and thoughts that were mentioned in the above “note” you are quickly coming to terms with the fact that you are responsible for what happened, and you are responsible for what will happen. You agree there are a lot of rules but you don’t believe that anything, other than you, caused you to hit your partner. You’re not so sure that you believe what all the other guys of the group are saying. You believe what the counselor’s are saying and you want to do whatever you need to do so this doesn’t happen again.

Some comments you might want to make in this group are:

“I realize now that what I did was wrong.”

“I am the one that caused me to be here.”

“She didn’t make me do anything; I did this to my wife – no one else.”

“She didn’t deserve this; I should have thought about what this would do to her and the kids.”

Theme: I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS

<< Appendix C – Prototypic Group Handout >>

ORIENTATION HIGHLIGHTS

MALE BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAM

o You can stop battering and do so permanently.

o You are responsible for your behavior.

o Sexist, homophobic, or threatening comments are not allowed; come to group clean/sober.

o Men who batter face two issues: power and control; equality must be accepted.

o Weekly contacts are made with abused partners; what the partners disclose is confidential.

o You and your partner may not participate in couples/family counseling.

o If you batter while in this program, you will be terminated from the program.

o Participation is voluntary; if you do not finish treatment probation officers will be notified.

o Meetings begin at 7:00 pm; at 7:05 pm the door will be locked.

o The program lasts 24 weeks; missing three sessions will cause termination from the group.

For More Information on Batterer Intervention Programs search the web using keywords

“Certified Batterers Intervention Programs” and for support services and training in batterer group programs see our professional development section here!

The practice at TalkifUwant treats all male, female and LGBTQ batterers as well as all male, female and LGBTQ victims of domestic violence in an outpatient setting. If you wish to be seen

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References

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Corry, C. E. (2002). Domestic abuse and violence defined. Retrieved November 27, 2004, from Equal Justice Foundation web site: http://www.dvmen.org/dv-19.htm.
Creating a Process of Change for Men who Batter. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2004, from the Duluth Model web site: http://www.duluth-model.org/trainingprocessofchange.html.
Cruz, M. J. (2003). “Why doesn’t he just leave?”: Gay male domestic violence and the reasons victims stay. Journal of Men’s Studies, 11(3), 309-323.
Declaration of Policy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2004, from Florida’s Department of Corrections web site: http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/batterers/policy.html.
Department of Children and Families: Domestic Violence. (2004). Retrieved November 28, 2004, from Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability web site: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/profiles/5051/.
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