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A Community s Response to Domestic Violence June 3, 2010 Domestic Violence Offender Treatment and The Virginia Certifi

Topics. History of Batterer Intervention Programs in VirginiaResearch Regarding Appropriate Treatment for Domestic Violence OffendersThe Differences between BIP and Anger ManagementAssessing Domestic Violence Risk FactorsTreatment Components of a BIP. History of Batterer Intervention Programs

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A Community s Response to Domestic Violence June 3, 2010 Domestic Violence Offender Treatment and The Virginia Certifi

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    1. A Community’s Response to Domestic Violence June 3, 2010 Domestic Violence Offender Treatment and The Virginia Certified Batterer Intervention Program Keith E. Fender, Ph.D., LCSW, CSOTP Diplomate, National Association of Forensic Counselors Certified Domestic Violence Counselor III

    2. Topics History of Batterer Intervention Programs in Virginia Research Regarding Appropriate Treatment for Domestic Violence Offenders The Differences between BIP and Anger Management Assessing Domestic Violence Risk Factors Treatment Components of a BIP

    3. History of Batterer Intervention Programs in Virginia 1998 – Commission on Family Violence Prevention of the Supreme Court of VA charged Virginians Against Domestic Violence (VADV) and the Coalition for the Treatment of Abusive Behaviors (C-TAB) to develop and implement standards for services designed to intervene in domestic violence. April 2000 – Virginia Standards for Batterer Intervention Programs were completed. Standards of practice were established for BIP providers

    4. A multi-disciplinary board has been appointed to over-see the certification of Batterer Intervention Programs. The board is comprised of 17 professionals from all regions of the state representing: DV programs, mental health agencies, community corrections, probation and parole, faith-based service providers, judges, commonwealth attorneys, and others. Information available at www.vabipboard.org The Virginia Community Criminal Justice Association (VCCJA) is a non-profit membership organization which includes local community corrections and pretrial services directors, staff and other individuals involved with the criminal justice system. The membership includes nearly 450 individuals and organizations representing all sectors of public safety and various treatment providers. VCCJA joined The Virginia Batterer Intervention Certification Board in early 2000.

    5. OFFICE OF THE EXECTUIVE SECTRETARY OF THE SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA Studied: Court Referral Methods for Domestic Violence Offenders (2008) Found The Virginia Batterer Intervention Program Certification process “well established and functional.”

    6. Why Group Treatment for Batterers ? Many practitioners disapprove of and at least 20 State standards and guidelines expressly prohibit couples counseling for batterers. In addition, a number of program directors disapprove of individual counseling as the sole intervention for battering. Group work is considered important in helping abusers to overcome their denial by hearing other men acknowledge and deal with their behavior, and to break the isolation that is considered part of the syndrome of abuse.

    7. Anger management programs address a single cause of battering, ignoring other, perhaps more profound, causes. Anger management programs teach batterers nonviolent ways to control their partners. If the underlying issue of batterer control of the victim is not addressed, critics maintain, men will misuse the techniques used to “control” anger—stress management and communications kills—to continue to control the victim. For example, a batterer could refuse his childcare responsibilities on the grounds that it is stressful.

    8. According to “misattribution of arousal” theory, men learn to label all strong emotional states as anger when they are, in fact, experiencing feelings of betrayal or hurt. Interventions therefore need to focus on identifying the underlying emotion men are feeling in situations in which they batter rather than on means of controlling the mislabeled anger.

    9. Some practitioners are concerned that any short-term, single-focus approach can be dangerous because it gives victims, judges, and batterers the illusion that the problem has been solved. Some practitioners feel that the availability of brief, inexpensive anger management programs even undermines the credibility of the more difficult, lengthy, and expensive treatments other programs provide. One-time “Saturday Afternoon Special”-style anger management programs arouse particular concern among practitioners who feel that such short-term programs trivialize the severity of the problem in the eyes of the batterer and are unlikely to have any deterrent effect

    10. How Is a Certified BIP Different From Anger Management? The research literature indicates that utilizing anger management for domestic violence offenders may actually increase violence. Source: National Institute of Justice Length of Program – Typically Anger Management is short-term (6-8 weeks) -vs- 18-week BIP’s. Program Population- Anger Management is more general in the approach therefore members may be in for a range of offenses such as: destruction of property, assault, road rage, employee mandated, and curse and abuse. BIP’s are specifically focused on the dynamics of family violence.

    11. Certified programs provide (at a minimum) monthly reports to referral sources as well as copies of initial risk assessment and final reports. A fee for service is charged to the offender. Offenders who are not compliant with program rules experience consequences to be determined by the program facilitator.

    12. Anger Management usually involves no violence risk assessment or opportunities to contact family members who are potential victims of violence. Certified Programs are mandated to complete an initial intake and domestic violence risk assessment. Anger Management assumes that group participants are motivated to change. Anger Management - - there is little time spent on motivation enhancement. The subject matter is presented regardless. Anger Management - - there is little time spent on motivation enhancement. The subject matter is presented regardless.

    13. Intake, Assessment and Risk-Assessment Intake is scheduled in a timely manner once a referral is made. Intake Informed Consent, Program Contract, Release of Information, Partner Release Domestic Violence Risk Assessment/Diagnostic Interview Demographic Info. , Social Hx., Legal Hx., Mental Health Hx., etc.. Mental Status Exam, Assess for existing mental illness (i.e. depression, anxiety, mood disorders, personality disorders, and alcohol/substance use/abuse). Domestic Violence Inventory (DVI) & (DVI-J) Spousal Assault Risk Assessment guide (SARA)

    14. Domestic Violence Inventory Truthfulness Scale Alcohol Control Drug Violence Stress Coping

    15. Spousal Assault Risk Assessment SARA The Sara is a 20-item checklist designed to screen for risk factors of spousal or family-related assault. Static Risk Factors – Unchangeable (age, gender, criminal history, exposure to domestic violence as child) Dynamic Risk Factors – changeable (social skills deficits, unresolved trauma, alcohol/drug use/abuse) Criminal History Past Assault of Family Members Past Assault of Strangers Past Violation of Conditional Release or Community Supervision

    16. Psychosocial Adjustment Recent Relationship Problems Recent Employment Problems Victim of and/or Witness to Family Violence as Child or Adolescent Recent Substance Abuse/Dependence Recent Suicidal or Homicidal Ideation/Intent Recent Psychotic and/or Manic Symptoms Personality Disorder with Anger, Impulsivity, or Behavioral Instability

    17. Spousal Assault History Past Physical Assault Past Sexual Assault/Sexual Jealousy Past Use of Weapons and/or Credible Threats of Death Recent Escalation in Frequency or Severity of Assault Past Violation of No Contact Order Extreme Minimization or Denial of Assault History Attitudes that Support or Condone Spousal Assault

    18. Index Offense/Most Recent/Alleged Severe and/or Sexual Assault Use of Weapons and/or Credible Threats of Death Violation of “No Contact Order”

    19. Program Goals Group members will not be verbally, emotionally, physically, or sexually abusive. Group members will be educated regarding the following:

    20. Program Components Psycho-education Risk Factors for Domestic Violence Definitions of Domestic Violence Anger Management Skills Communication Skills Problem Solving Skills Motivation for Change Effects of Abuse on Children, Family, and Community

    21. “I’m the real victim here” RET – Rational Emotive Theory A - Event B - Automatic Belief/Thinking C - Feelings lead to Behaviors D – Challenge errors in thinking *Core beliefs and thinking errors about the abuse must change in order for feelings and behaviors to change. If the beliefs that my behavior is justified or that No one is hurt I am likely ot not change.If the beliefs that my behavior is justified or that No one is hurt I am likely ot not change.

    22. Examples of “Errors in Thinking” I’m the real victim here I have to take up for myself and this is the best way I must be in control Nobody was hurt The children were outside so they were not hurt I must be respected at all times I should always come first I got my but busted and I turned out ok.I got my but busted and I turned out ok.

    23. How to Measure Success Recidivism/Re-arrest 1998-2000 (89 group participants) 76 completed the program 13 did not complete the program 8 arrests (any charge) post program completion 4 charges dismissed, 3 guilty, 1 pending

    24. Research “The trend indicates that the vast majority of the men eventually stopped their violence.” “At the 30-month follow-up, 80% of the men had not assaulted their partner in the previous year, and at the 48-month follow up, 90% of the men had not assaulted in the previous year.” “Nearly two thirds of the women at the 15-month, 30-month and 48-month follow-ups indicated they were “better off.” Source: (2001) Gondolf, Edward. “An Extended Follow-Up of Batterers and Their Partners”

    25. Pre/Post Test Feedback from Group Member, Spouse, Family Member, or Other. Internal/External Evaluations Certified Programs and Site Visits Groups are open to referral sources such as commonwealth attorneys, judges, probation and parole officers, victim advocates, etc..

    26. Radford DVAP Blue Ridge Counseling, LLC 519 Second Street Radford, VA 24141 Female Only Group: Monday@ 4:00 p.m. Male Only Groups: Monday @ 5:00 & 7:00

    27. Roanoke DVAP Roanoke City DSS – Tuesdays @ 5:00 Roanoke Office Location 2728 Colonial Avenue Roanoke, Virginia

    28. Referral process Website – www.blueridgecounseling.com Phone/Fax – 540-639-9040 (Radford Location) Phone – 540-343-5909 (Roanoke Location) Fax-540-343-5046 (Roanoke Location) Email – kfender@blueridgecounseling.com

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