Addressing Batterers
Screen men and women alike for battering behavior, hetero and homosexual, adolescent and adult.- If a client has engaged in intimate partner violence as a batterer, do not expect that anger management can serve as a substitute for a batterers intervention program. Anger management may allow a batterer to blame violent behavior on “passion” and “strong feelings” rather than a skewed perspective on power and control. Scroll through the attached list of programs for victims and for batterers to find a nearby option.
- Incorporate numerous opportunities for batterers to accept responsibility for their actions. Do not allow them to blame others for inappropriate or dangerous behavior.
- Residential programs allowing home visits should make contact with the family prior to the visit to discuss whether or not the visit should be allowed, and if so, how to provide safety in the environment. Unless safety can be guaranteed, the program may want to consider insisting on an escort , and briefing the escort on safety procedures
- Do not offer family therapy, couples counsleing, or mediation. The victim cannot speak freely and future safety may be compromised. The focus needs to be on the batterer and that individual’s behavior, rather than victim blaming.
- Train staff to recognize the many variations of domestic violence. Violence isn’t only physical.
- Just because a person is in drug treatment and in batterers intervention does not mean the behavior has stopped. It is still important to ensure victims have safety plans as well as referrals to needed services.
- Frame batterer intervention learning as similar to substance abuse recovery – it is about lifelong change.
- Be aware that power and control issues may be replicated in relationships that develop in treatment.
- Do not accept excuses or blame for dangerous behavior, especially people who blame withdrawal and detoxification symptoms.
