This literature review seeks to account for and address the controversies surrounding the evaluation of the effectiveness of batterer intervention programs (BIPs). This review intends to explore the two predominant programmatic approaches to batterer intervention, including proposed alternative treatment programs, and the current research on BIP effectiveness. This review will also discuss important issues pertaining to evaluation methodology which inform the structure of this research project.
Programmatic Approaches
Batterer intervention programs primarily operate under two major treatment models: a psycho-educational approach and a cognitive behavioral approach. Developed in the early 1980s, The Duluth Model is a psycho-educational approach to batterer intervention that is heavily influenced by feminist theory and therefore gender-based (Herman, Rotunda, Williamson, & Vodanovich, 2014). This model currently serves as the predominant approach to batterer intervention: according to a survey performed by Price and Rosenbaum (2009), 53 percent of programs in their sample identified as “Duluth model oriented.” According to Herman et al. (2014), one of the main goals of the Duluth Model is the modification of behavior through the use of the “Power and Control Wheel” which locates problematic attitudes and behaviors and the “Equality Wheel” which promotes a more constructive perspective on relationship roles.
Drawing on their foundation in feminist theory, Duluth Model programs propose that cultural and social values that promote men’s dominance and control over women are the root cause of intimate partner violence. This philosophical orientation dictates treatment strategies which focus on tension reduction, communication and...
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... base for attachment theory.” Even Sonkin and Dutton (2003) acknowledge that no specific model for such treatment currently exists. Batterer intervention rooted in attachment theory promotes the idea of an “abusive personality” and this approach may problematize the individual rather than their behavior.
Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) reviewed 15 batterer types previously established in the literature to develop three descriptive dimensions used to differentiate among batterer subtypes. These dimensions measure the severity of the marital violence, the generality of the violence, and any psychopathology or personality disorders the batterer may have (Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart, 1994). Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) used these three dimensions to theorize three batterer subtypes: family only, dysphoric/borderline, and generally violence/antisocial.
Almost as if they were to be trained as an animal. Second, socioeconomic status was a key factor in abusive relationships. Lower income women are proven to be more frequently victims of domestic violence than wealthier women. Situations where the male partner is underemployed or unemployed, he’s not seeking employment, or they are residing in a poor neighborhood all can have an impact of on abusive relationships. Third, some batterers were abused themselves. Here, batterers were abused during their upbringing whether it be physical, verbal, or sexually abused. They may have also witnessed domestic violence as a part of their childhood. From here, being abusive was embedded in their mind. They were confused about a healthy relationship. Using violence as a means of power and control was the way of life. Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to batter as an adult. Fourth, race was another factor when being abusive. Black women seem to be more disrespectful towards men and talk out of line resulting in abuse. Black women also worry about the repercussions of reporting domestic violence. A lot of abusive relationships go
Domestic violence has been plaguing our society for years. There are many abusive relationships, and the only question to ask is: why? The main answer is control. The controlling characteristic that males attribute to their masculinity is the cause of these abusive relationships. When males don’t have control, they feel their masculinity is threatened and they need to do something about it.
It has been found that violent behavior that is equally displayed amongst men and women (Wray, Hoyt, & Gerstle, 2013). According to research, the reasons that men and women become perpetrators are similar (Wray et al., 2013). It has been stated that if a counselor wants to reduce recidivism, one should focus on dyadic intervention (Wray et al., 2013). The psychoeducational group can help members to learn signs of aggression that they display to and what things can be done to correct the
Stark (2006) would suggest that thirty years of research has failed to produce a consensus as to what constitutes a case of domestic violence considering that 90% of women who report the abuse have no physical injuries. Methods of coercive control do not meet the criminological viewpoint rather, control extends to financial, emotional, and psychological aspects of subjugating the partner thus no physical violence occurs. If only violent means are reported, then the reported number of victims would perhaps change thus creating a more gender symmetrical pattern. Until operational definitions are defined throughout the disciplines with consistency then there will continue to be discrepancies and opposing views. However, integrative theories of feminist views are being explored which investigate the intersection of not only male dominance as a form of oppression but the use of race, class, national origin, age, sexual orientation, and disability and their impact on intimate partner violence as stated by McPhail and colleagues
Domestic violence, or battering, is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors, including intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, a...
In Duluth, Minnesota, after a brutal domestic homicide in 1980, the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project discovered a community prepared to experiment with new practices to tackle the problem of men's violence toward their intimate partners (Pence & Paymar, 1993). The Domestic Abuse Intervention Project spent months going to different educational groups for women and asked them what was going on in their abusive relationships and what types of things they would want their partner to change. From those discussions with the women, the DAIP created the Power and Control Wheel in 1984 (Pence & Aravena, 2010; What is the Duluth Model, 2011).
Kennedy, Bernice R. Domestic Violence: A.k.a. Intimate Partner Violence (ipv). New York: iUniverse, 2013. Print.
Patriarchal Terrorism is general need to control a relationship. It is violence exclusively initiated by men as a way of gaining and maintaining absolute control over their female partner. (Shehan, 2003) The second form of couple violence, is common couple violence, is less a product of patriarchy. (Johnson, 1995) Patriarchal terrorism does exist today. Differences do not exist in intimate violence based on social class, education level, race / ethnicity or sexual orientation. Intimate violence is violence that occurs between two people in a relationship. It includes four types of behaviors: physical abuse, sexual abuse, threats, and emotional abuse. The longer the abuse goes on the longer it will affect the victim. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006) Partner violence occurs in all countries, social, economic, religious and cultural boundaries. (Shehan, 2003) I have observed couples with good communication and poor communication and intimacy. Dr. Gottman and his colleagues created recommendations, tactics, and strategies for couples with poor communication, intimacy and conflict problems.
exposed to family violence: I. Overview and issues. Couple And Family Psychology: Research And Practice, 1(S), 63-73. doi:10.1037/2160-4096.1.S.63
Clark, P. M. (2011). Interventions for domestic violence: Cognitive behavioral therapy. Corrections Today, Vol. 73 (1), pp. 62-64. Retrieved from http://crimesolutions.gov/PracticeDetails.aspx?ID+16
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is historically referred to as domestic violence. It describes a pattern of coercive and assaultive behavior that may include psychological abuse, progressive isolation, sexual assault, physical injury, stalking, intimidation, deprivation, and reproductive coercion among partners (The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), 1999). IPV leads to lifelong consequences such as lasting physical impairment, emotional trauma, chronic health problems, and even death. It is an issue affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Eighty-five percent of domestic violence victims are women (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003).
“Domestic violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm” (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). In most places domestic violence is looked on as one of the higher priorities when trying to stop crime. Domestic Violence cases are thought to be influenced by the use of alcohol, drugs, stress or anger but in reality, they are just learned behaviors by the batterer. These habits can be stopped as long as one seeks help (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). For instance, a child is brought up in a household that is constantly involved in criminal acts. As this child grows up, the criminal lifestyle will be synonymous with his/her behavior. With that being said, it is also a given fact that if a household and its members are surrounded with violence, the relationships between one another will be strained. Eventually this will end up in a divorce or even worse, death, depending on how far the violence goes. If there is violence in a family, then the ones who are affected by it may feel like they deserve it because of what the batterer is accusing them of doing. Battering occurs among people of all races, ages, socio-economic classes, religious affiliations, occupations, and educational backgrounds (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). Domestic violence can affect families in more aspects than one; the husband-wife relationship, the children, and also the financial stability.
Thesis: In my paper, I will be examining the different types, possible causes, and effects of Intimate Partner Violence, and what treatments or programs are available to combat this growing problem in America. Regardless of differing approaches to fight it, statistics show that women all across the world suffer from the effects of domestic violence at a similar rate independent of class, race, or religion.
Simpson, L.E., Doss, D.B., Wheeler, J., Christensen, A. (2007). Relationship violence among couples seeking therapy: common couple violence or battering. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Vol. 33, pg 270. Proquest Direct database. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
McHugh, M. C., & Frieze, I. H. (2006). Intimate partner violence. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1087, 121–141. doi: 10.1196/annals.1385.011