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In order for batterers to change their behavior, they must first acknowledge their abusive behavior and that they alone are accountable for making the choice to abuse. Successful intervention requires the monitoring of individual behaviors over time and a concentrated focus on individual responsibility, choice, and accountability. Below is general information on what we recommend for DVIP ((formerly known as batterers intervention programs or BIP) as well as what to keep in mind when referring a person to attend DVIP. Please note, anger management is not an appropriate or effective intervention for domestic violence offenders.

 

Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (DVIP) 

• Abuse and control are viewed as the primary problem

• Focus on changing the beliefs and behavior of the participant

  • Abuse is seen as an effort to take & maintain control over the victim

• Intervention is long-term (26 sessions minimum)

  • Each session is 1 hour in length, minimum

• Repeated reminders of the damage caused

• Victims are identified and accountability is paramount

• Sexism & gender socialization are significant factors

• Confrontational, denial is regularly targeted

• Domestic violence is understood as a social issue

• The program is part of a larger coordinated response to ensure the community is aware of resources and accountability measures are transparent

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Anger Management Programs 

• Anger viewed as the primary problem

• Focus on managing emotion and behavior regulation 

• Abuse is seen as due to a loss of control, with the victim blamed for "'provoking" an outburst 

• Intervention is short-term (hours vs. weeks)

• Generally, no identified victims or development of empathy for the victim

• Non-confrontational, denial is not addressed

• Gender is not considered a contributing issue for violence within the relationship 

• Personal mental health issue 

 

Although success ultimately depends on a batterer’s willingness to change, some existing batterer intervention programs may fall short of what is required for successful intervention. What follows are important considerations for judges, and others interested in this curriculum, in selecting credible domestic violence intervention programs, according to our state Standards. 

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- Group sessions with a recommended duration of 26 to 52 sessions (or longer). Twenty-six sessions are the accepted minimum. Longer participation allows for more exposure to the program material and more opportunities for professional staff to observe and monitor the batterer’s participation.

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- It is not uncommon for batterers to test the system. To hold batterers accountable, any probation violation - no matter how small - must be addressed in immediate and meaningful ways. To do less may compromise victim safety and miss an opportunity to make an impact on the batterer, particularly regarding accountability and consequences.

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- Programs or curriculum that focus on the following topics is considered inappropriate in addressing battering and abusive behavior. The ACADV strongly recommends programming based on the understanding that domestic violence is about power and control. 

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- Anger management

- Couple or family counseling

- Bringing the victim into contact with the batterer or disclosing confidential information about the victim to the batterer

- Blaming the victim for the batterer's abusive behavior or otherwise support the batterer's entitlement to abuse or control the victim. 

- Identifing psychopathology, poor impulse control, addiction, childhood experiences and/or skills deficits as the primary cause of battering.

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For those interested in further research, please find more information on this subject at the links below. 

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• Essential Elements and Standards for Batterer Intervention Programs from the Office of the Attorney General (December 2012)

• Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence: Standards and Guidelines for batterer Intervention Programs (September 2018) 

• Batterer Intervention Services Coalition - Michigan 

• Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence - Perpetrator Intervention Programs 

• Anger Management Vs. Batterer Intervention, common differences 

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Arkansas Standards for Domestic Violence Intervention Programs

(Click Here to Download) 

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Informational Brochure on DVIP (below): (Click Here to Download/Print)

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