The effectiveness of a batterer intervention program: A case study

Kelly R Davis, Tennessee State University

Abstract

This study explores the strengths and weaknesses of a cognitive-behavioral batterer intervention program administered to domestic violence offenders in the state of Tennessee. Domestic violence is an issue that adversely affects all classes of society regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. To combat this phenomenon, batterer intervention programs, based off cognitive-behavioral treatment programs, were developed to change abusive behavior in males. These became an integral part of community supervision in some states. If research is conducted to better understand what the domestic violence offenders are learning from the batterer intervention programs, current and future programs can be tailored to meet the needs of these individuals in order to prevent reoffending. Same-sex domestic violence is prevalent in the state of Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (2006). However, there have been a small number of studies conducted on same-sex domestic violence in comparison to heterosexual male domestic violence. This study provides first-hand accounts of Sally's (a female same-sex domestic violence offender) participation in a batterer intervention program. Her insight has shown that while the program has positively impacted her abusive behavior, there are other issues in same-sex domestic violence that advocate for a specific batterer intervention program intended to treat same-sex offenders.

Subject Area

Clinical psychology|Criminology

Recommended Citation

Kelly R Davis, "The effectiveness of a batterer intervention program: A case study" (2010). ETD Collection for Tennessee State University. Paper AAI1476670.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI1476670

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