II. Domestic Violence Offenders

Service Tools:

In many cases courts will mandate that domestic violence offenders attend anger management sessions. Increasingly, states are developing minimum standards that batterers' treatment programs must meet. Cognitive and behavioral treatment programs have been found to be most effective. Learning new coping skills such as anger control, and restructuring thinking errors (i.e. the victim pushed the batterer to violence) are ways in which treatment can assist offenders. When there is a substance abuse problem, the offender should also be engaged in alcohol and drug treatment. Maintenance of employment or attendance at job training is often appropriate as well.

Staff must develop and maintain a close working relationship with batterers' treatment providers. Providers can and should share with staff an offenders' attendance record and any statements made that might indicate an imminent threat. When applicable, supervision agencies should help ensure that the courts refer offenders only to certified batterers' treatment programs.