The Future of Batterer Programs: Reassessing Evidence-Based Practice

Introduction

Introduction Where Are Batterer Programs Headed? Batterer intervention programs are at a critical juncture. Despite their central role in addressing domestic violence over the last thirty years, their effectiveness in stopping men’s violence toward and abuse of their female partners is increasingly questioned. A handful of experimental program evaluations show that participation in a batterer program has little or no effect, compared to being only on probation. The call for evidence-based practice, therefore, leaves batterer programs vulnerable to criticism and dismissal. The door has been swung open for clinical psychologists, in particular, to explore and promote a variety of other approaches to battering. Some of them claim that batterer programming in its current form needs to be augmented or replaced with a more sophisticated approach. Specifically, identifying and treating a variety of psychological issues, and even different types or categories of offenders, may be the wave of the future. In addition, many battered women’s advocates have long been suspicious of batterer programs. From their point of view, the kind of batterer program that consists of short-term weekly discussion groups is not enough to offset society’s reinforcement of abuse and violence against women. Most batterers appear to be very resistant to change and, in fact, don’t have sufficient reason to change. As a result, many battered women’s advocates call instead for more accountability , supervision, and containment of batterers—and more protection, resources , and support services for battered women. From this point of view, the future should include heightened court oversight and more extensive probation supervision for the batterers, and additional protections and resources for battered women. Supervised child visitation and enforced protection orders are likely to help these women more than batterer programs. 1 2 | The Future of Batterer Programs The range of responses may reflect a time-honored tension in the criminal justice system between punishment and treatment. We still face this tension when dealing with drug addicts and sex offenders. Are sex offenders, for instance , sick and in need of help, or are they hardened perpetrators who need to be contained? Some current and potential victims would like them to be removed from society or at least watched intently. But clinicians would argue for confidentiality in order to build trust, engage their clients, and conduct therapy. However, the dichotomy may be a false one given the innovation of therapeutic jurisprudence and the problem-solving courts that accompany it. There is an increasing integration of the punitive side—what is often referred to as accountability—with treatments for behavioral problems. Accountability has been the backdrop of batterer programs, leading to what some would call “coerced treatment.” Most of the program participants are referred by the courts, supervised by probation officers, and subject to further sanctions for noncompliance. Similarly, drug and alcohol offenses are increasingly addressed in specialty drug courts that mix accountability and treatment. The courts refer offenders to treatment and impose further sanctions, such as jailing and fines, if the offender fails to comply with the required treatment. This is surely a stick-andcarrot approach. Improving what has been developed over the last twenty or thirty years would seem to make the most sense, but it is not immediately clear how to proceed along these lines. Batterer programs represent an ever-expanding array of approaches, formats, and linkages. Some programs appear more like group therapy, in which men explore their psychological problems and personality issues. Others are more instructional, developing interpersonal skills or exposing beliefs and attitudes related to abuse. Some programs conduct extensive individual assessments , while others rely primarily on observations of the men in the group sessions and feedback from the men’s partners. The variations go even further. The training and experience of program staff, for instance, range from clinical psychologists with doctorates to reformed batterers . Programs may use video clips, homework assignments, visual aids, and role- playing. The ideal length for a program is itself a major issue. Courts in some jurisdictions require as little as three months of weekly sessions, while others— for instance, in California—require a year’s worth of sessions for domestic violence offenders. Some programs vary in length according to the severity and history of the offender’s violence, or in response to a risk assessment indicating the likelihood of more severe violence. Introduction | 3 A Snapshot of Batterer Programs Today The variations in program approach, session format, counselor styles, staff...