A Practitioner's Perspective on Services for Domestic

Violence Offenders

Charlie Stoops, PhD, LCSW Graduate School of Social Work

Dominican University

OverviewWhat is domestic violence and abuse? A view from

a change agentIs it Clinical or Is it Behavioral? A perspective on

working to end men’s use of domestic violence How do we facilitate change: Common

components of Partner Abuse Intervention Programs

Does it work?

How can the legal advocacy/process help?

What is domestic violence and abuse?

A view from a change agent

Unique Form of Violence

1. Specific Target2. Specific Gender3. Specific

Relationship4. Specific Location5. Violence is a last

resort6. Planned &

Systematic

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How many men? About 12% of adult men have been violent with an

intimate female partner in past year According to US 2010 Census, 138 Million men in US. 16.6

million men will use violence with a partner this year.According to a report by the Bureau of Justice,

of 3,750 reports of intimate partner violence filed in the state courts of 16 large urban counties in May 2002:Most involved a female victim and a male

defendant (84%).1 in 20 involved a defendant and victim of the

same gender.The majority of the cases (male defendant/female

victim) were more likely to entail a history of abuse between the victim and defendant.

Defendant weapon use was more prevalent in cases with female defendants and male victims than in other cases.

(Straus & Gelles, 1987; US Census 2010,; US Dept. of Justice, 2009)

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How many men?

Male Partners commit 30% of female homicides; Female partners commit 5% of male homicides

In Chicago from January to June 2011, detectives have determined there were 10 general domestic related murders. Of these murders, most occurred in districts that averaged the lowest domestic-related calls/day. There were 4 murders in three districts that averaged 1-9 domestic-related calls/day.

(Straus & Gelles, 1987; US Census 2010, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S. 1993-2004, 2006; Chicago Police Department — Quarterly Domestic Violence Statistical Summary — YTD - June 2011)

Probability of Being a Man in a PAIP

(x) Cook County IL has 1,889,934 men age 18 or older (2000 US Census)

(y) y x*.12: 157,495 batterers in Cook Co IL (Straus & Gelles, 1989 found 12% of men batter in a given year)

(z) In the year 2000, Cook County Court Dept. Social Service (DSS) disposed 1,905 new men for intervention related to domestic violence

z/y = 0.012 (1.2%) . . . the approximate probability of getting into a PAIP (via DSS) in Cook County Illinois if you batter Compare Dutton rate: 4 per 1,000 (0.4%)

Conclusion

It is rare for a man who batters to be in a Partner Abuse Intervention Program!

IS IT CLINICAL OR IS IT BEHAVIORAL? A perspective on working to end men’s use of domestic violence

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Intervening with men who batter

Intervention vs. Treatment

Mandatory vs. Voluntary

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Why do men batter? Social Theories

Feminist SociologicalPatriarchal Structure of SocietyMen’s violence toward women as a sanctioned

action to maintain Patriarchy

EcologicalIntegration of Biological, Individual,

Environmental, Feminist Genetic Factors Learned Behavior Societal Structure Gendered Analysis

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Characteristics of Men who abuse their intimate female partners

Environmental ConstraintsBehavioral DeficitsFamily of origin violenceDating ViolenceCommunity ViolenceAbuse of own children

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Characteristics of Men who abuse their intimate female partners

Feelings Management (Anger)Stress/AnxietyDepression Generalized Aggression /Antisocial

Traits Personality Disorders

based on Saunders, D (1995)

How do we facilitate change:

Common components of Partner Abuse Intervention Programs

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How do we Intervene!Accountability

Men'sPrograms

BeliefsCommunication SkillsSexism, Racism, Classism, HomophobiaFeelings Management vs. Anger ManagementEmpathy - Impact on Women, Children & SelfImpact of Other Issues & Referrals

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Intervening with men who batterTreatment/Intervention for Co-

occurring ConditionsEnvironmentalPhysicalPsychiatricSubstance MisusePersonality DisordersNeurological

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What we don’t do! Contraindicated Approaches

“Anger Management”Pastoral CounselingIndividual TherapyCouples Therapy

Personal Confrontation

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Why NOT Anger Management?Most men who batter

have no problem controlling anger when they are angry at a boss, or a banker, or a police officer. Usually they will stop an assault if a child, parent, or neighbor enters the room.

Does it work?

Yes – Maybe – No

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Is Intervention Effective?Most who re-offend do so early in

programs/or while on waiting listModest effectiveness in generalOnly 6 randomized studies to date2 - small positive effects - 4 - no

significant effects when using official records

No significant effects when using victim reports

After 5 years, 75% of partners/victims of completers report feeling safe!

Reasons for Small Effect of BIPsUnidentified and untreated substance

abuse and mental illness Poverty, culture, and “stake in

conformity” issuesApplying person-level solutions to a

societal-level problemFailure to sanction non-complianceNo intervention for the really bad guys

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Cook County StudyStudy done for Cook County Adult

Probation available at :http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/Resea

rchReports/CookCountyDVInt.pdf

(Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority’s website)

Shows 75% completion rate in Cook Co. and that completion reduces incidence of re-arrest by 39 – 62%

Class predicts completion better than disordersMarital Status, Employment, Education, Income

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Is Intervention Effective?What works with whom?

Culturally-matched Interventions/FacilitatorsCognitive Behavioral with more AntisocialProcess-oriented with those with “Stake in

Society”Combined with case management

Victim is best predictor!

How can the legal advocacy/process help?

How can prosecutors & defense attorneys help in the process?

Prosecutors can…Be understanding when a victim chooses not

to proceedThe victim knows best!She maybe safer with the perpetrator

Encourage victim to use DV Advocates and Victim Services

Include in sentence or plea Mandate to PAIP rather than jail or anger

managmentMandate to additional services

Public Defenders can…Understand SOP of Men who Batter

Minimize Deny & BlameIt’s her or the drugs or ….“you know how women are”

Encourage defendant to….(at plea or sentencing)Attend PAIP rather than jail or anger

managementEnroll in Additional services as needed

Questions

Thank you!