Discourse After a Batterer Intervention Program: A Qualitative Analysis of “Letters From the Future”

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 593-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Kilgore ◽  
Peter Lehmann ◽  
Rachel Voth Schrag
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Future Success ◽  
Writing Assignment ◽  
Solution Focused ◽  
Batterer Intervention Program

This exploratory study employs discourse and narrative analysis to assess men’s ( n = 45) responses to a writing assignment completed at the end of a solution-focused voluntary batterer intervention program. The study finds that the men primarily use the assignment to reassure themselves of their future success, defined through traditionally male paradigms. The narrative analysis then divides the letters according to type: Participants (22.7%) use a “transformative” discourse of behavior change and intimate partner violence (IPV)-sustaining discourse (18.2%), but the plurality (38.6%) use both simultaneously. The ideological conflict demonstrated in these responses highlights how IPV-sustaining discourse is embedded within broader sociocultural discursive structures.

In Their Own Words: Attributed Causes of Own Intimate Partner Violence

Partner Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana Raison ◽  
Donald Dutton
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
College Community ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
Gender Paradigm ◽  
Batterer Intervention Program

A review of 20 articles (with a collective N of 16,463) was conducted assessing reasons given by perpetrators for their commission of intimate partner violence (IPV). College, community, and batterer intervention program samples were used. Five studies used Follingstad's (1991) Motivation and Effects Questionnaire to assess reported motivations. This had an advantage in standardizing the definitions of motives, which varied widely in other studies. Perpetrators of IPV, whether male or female, do not describe their motives in gender-political terms. Instead, they describe them in psychological terms, such as anger, frustration, or gaining attention. The most frequently endorsed reasons were anger (68% by women, 47% by men) and gaining attention (53% by women, 55% by men). Self-defense was the least endorsed (7th of seven motives). The implications of this finding for the gender paradigm are discussed.

More Likely to Dropout, but What if They Don’t? Partner Violence Offenders With Alcohol Abuse Problems Completing Batterer Intervention Programs

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1958-1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisol Lila ◽  
Enrique Gracia ◽  
Alba Catalá-Miñana
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Batterer Intervention Programs ◽  
Batterer Intervention Program

There is general consensus that alcohol abuse is a risk factor to be considered in batterer intervention programs. Intimate partner violence perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems are more likely to dropout of batterer intervention programs. However, there is little research on intimate partner violence perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems completing batterer intervention programs. In this study, we analyze drop-out rates among perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems and explore whether perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems completing a batterer intervention program differ from those who do not have alcohol abuse problems in a number of outcomes. The sample was 286 males convicted for intimate partner violence against women, attending a community-based batterer intervention program. Final (i.e., recidivism) and proximal (i.e., risk of recidivism, responsibility attributions, attitudes toward violence, sexism, psychological adjustment, and social integration) intervention outcomes were analyzed. Chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and one-way ANOVA were conducted. Results confirmed higher dropout rates among perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems. Results also showed a reduction in alcohol abuse among perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems completing the batterer intervention program. Finally, results showed that, regardless of alcohol abuse problems, perpetrators who completed the batterer intervention program showed improvements in all intervention outcomes analyzed. Perpetrators both with and without alcohol abuse problems can show positive changes after completing an intervention program and, in this regard, the present study highlights the need to design more effective adherence strategies for intimate partner violence perpetrators, especially for those with alcohol abuse problems.

Batterer Intervention Programs

Criminology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Spouse Abuse ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Court Order ◽  
Criminal Sanctions ◽  
Recent Developments

Since the mid-1970s, Western-leaning nations have focused on measuring and responding swiftly and punitively to domestic violence in all of its many forms (e.g., child abuse, spouse abuse, elder mistreatment). Within this arena, many advocates, academics, governmental staff, and legislatures have focused their attention on addressing what is now generally labeled intimate partner violence (a.k.a., wife abuse, domestic violence, spouse assault, batterer). While significant resources have gone toward understanding the victims’ experiences and providing them with both justice and comprehensive services, a similar focus has not existed for understanding and effectively intervening with the perpetrators of this violence. Within this space, just two questions have garnered the most interest among scholars and advocates. The first question is whether criminal sanctions, particularly the use of arrest, specifically deter future violence. The second is whether the perpetrators’ participation in a therapeutic batterer intervention program (BIP), particularly following a court order, reduces their likelihood of future violence. This bibliography focuses on studies that assess BIPs, specifically those designed to test whether BIPs reduce violence between intimate partners. It provides a general overview of BIPs, a section describing the development of the Duluth BIP, a review of BIP outcome and attrition studies, and a discussion of recent developments regarding the nature of these interventions.

Male IPV Perpetrators' Perspectives on Facilitation of Batterer Intervention Program: Results From a 2-Year Study

Partner Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope K. Morrison ◽  
Patricia A. Cluss ◽  
Lynn Hawker ◽  
Elizabeth Miller ◽  
Donna George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Batterer Intervention Programs ◽  
High Degree

As part of a two-year ethnographic study of batterer intervention programs (BIPs) we interviewed 76 male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) on their perspectives regarding BIP facilitators. Participants endorsed a number of characteristics of facilitators that helped to reduce their resistance to the group process and assisted in engaging them in the learning process, including facilitators who were invested in the program and its mission, and displayed a non-judgmental demeanor. At the same time, they also endorsed facilitators who were honest with them and challenged them on their behavior, and who exhibited a high degree of experience in IPV. Additionally, participants endorsed the need to have a female facilitator as part of the group to further promote engagement and learning. This study has implications for thinking about what components of BIP facilitation might be important for reducing some of the resistance that may lead to client attrition, and how BIPs can better engage clients in prosocial behavioral changes.

Understanding Female Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration, Parenting Attitudes, and Batterer Intervention Program Completion

Partner Abuse ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Cannon ◽  
Regardt J. Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Program Completion ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Parenting Attitudes ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration ◽  
Violence Perpetration

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of parenting attitudes and widely used indicators of intimate partner violence perpetration on program completion in a sample of women required to attend a 26-week batterer intervention program. Methods: This research used a nonequivalent, control-group design in a secondary analysis of 146 women. Results: Analysis showed that (a) logistic regression indicated a statistically significant model for predicting Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory scores using level of education and racial group; (b) logistic regression also demonstrated that treatment completion could be successfully predicted by Revise Conflict Tactics Scale Negotiation score and referral status (e.g., regular court, criminal domestic violence court, and pretrial intervention). Conclusions: These analyses illustrate characteristics of female batterers as they connect to parenting attitudes and offer initial evidence suggesting that women in treatment for intimate partner violence perpetration display a host of negative parenting attitudes. Implications of these results were investigated and considered.

Male Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators’ Perceptions of the Positives and Negatives of Peer Interactions in Group Batterer Intervention Programs

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 1878-1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope K. Morrison ◽  
Donna George ◽  
Patricia A. Cluss ◽  
Elizabeth Miller ◽  
Lynn Hawker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Peer Interactions ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Group Context ◽  
Group Members

Seventy-six adult male perpetrators of intimate partner violence enrolled in a batterer intervention program (BIP) were interviewed on their perspectives of the intra-BIP group peer interactions. A majority of participants endorsed positives aspects of working with peers in the group context. Only one negative aspect arose, namely, other group members who disrupted the BIP process in some way. More importantly, a minority of participants expressed indifference toward the group process. This study has implications for training of BIP facilitators and for future research on BIPs that helps to tailor the approaches these groups use to maximize client engagement.

Male IPV Perpetrators’ Self-Reports of Accountability: A Content Analysis of Exit Letters Written by Clients Who Completed a Batterer Intervention Program Between 1990 and 2015

Partner Abuse ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. PA-2020-0041
Author(s):  
Penelope K. Morrison ◽  
Alyssa Stewart ◽  
Jesse Cenci ◽  
Judy C. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Batterer Intervention Programs ◽  
Abusive Behavior ◽  
Male Perpetrators ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Global Coding

Batterer intervention programs (BIPs) continue to be the primary mode of intervention for male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). The extent, however, to which BIPs are effective remains unclear. In particular, studies are needed that can provide detailed information on how accountability is promoted during the BIP process, and if clients leave a BIP with a clear sense of what it means to be responsible for their behaviors. The present study seeks to expand our knowledge of accountability as it is understood in the BIP context through an exploration of clients’ written reflections on their experiences with such a program. A random sample of 555 exit letters were collected from a participating BIP in 2015 and analyzed to understand clients’ perceptions on accountability. A three-coder iterative approach to analysis, focusing on content and global coding of broad thematic and subthematic categories was used. Our findings show that many clients admitted to the use of some type of abusive behavior as the precipitating factor for their involvement in the BIP, and that additionally, they generally recognized the need to be responsible for their behaviors and the consequences associated with their abuse. However, we also found that an increased emphasis on accountability in BIPs may be warranted. In particular, more research is needed to explore how BIPs promote accountability among their clients, and how individuals who complete a BIP understand and interpret their role in perpetrating abuse.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document