Batterer intervention programs (BIP’s) are designed for men arrested for domestic violence and for men who would be arrested if their actions were public. These programs usually consist of educational classes or treatment groups, but may include other intervention elements such as extensive evaluation, individual counseling, or case management. Because 80% of batterers are referred by the criminal justice system, one set of implicit goals for BIP’s includes justice and accountability (Healey, Smith & O'Sullivan, 1998), goals that have not been adequately recognized in evaluations of BIP’s.
Another goal of BIP’s is victim safety. Most standards for BIP’s specify that service providers consider victim safety implications when implementing interventions such as contacting victims for information about the batterer (Austin & Dankwort, 1997 ; 1999 ). A final goal for BIP’s is rehabilitation and behavioral changes such as skill building, attitude change, and emotional development.
“Domestic violence occurs in Massachusetts at alarming rates. Consider the following:
• In 2001, there were 15 intimate partner violence homicides in Massachusetts; 11 were women and 4 were men.
• 43,000 Massachusetts children are exposed to domestic violence each year.
• 34,742 restraining orders were filed in Massachusetts courts in 2000.
• 1 in 5 girls is sexually and/or physically abused by a boyfriend.
• Approximately 1 out of every 4 gay men in Massachusetts experiences domestic violence.
The mission of Batterer Intervention Program Services at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is to promote the safety of domestic violence victims. We work with certified batterer intervention programs across Massachusetts to hold batterers accountable for their abuse and to help them change their behavior.
To achieve its mission, Batterer Intervention Program Services:
• certifies and monitors batterer intervention programs according to the Massachusetts Guidelines and Standards for the Certification of Batterer Intervention Programs.
• conducts......
