1. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSER TREATMENT: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DO THEY DO? Kimm Campbell, MSW

2. Objectives Establish common understanding of domestic violence Establish common understanding of abuser treatment Discuss state mandated components Discuss best practices Review what you can do

3. Defining Domestic Violence Domestic Violence is…. The threat OR use of violence or intimidation by an intimate partner in order to gain and maintain power and control over another person.

4. What is Domestic Violence? Occurs within an intimate relationship Is a pattern of violence by one partner toward another Can involve emotional/verbal, social, financial, sexual and/or physical abuse Intent is to gain/maintain power/control Violence or threat of violence creates fear Is about power and control

5. Cycle of Abuse Tension HoneymoonExplosion

6. Cycle of Violence Tension becomes unbearable; victim may “provoke” incident to get it over with. Victim may try to cover up injury or may look for help. Abuser: Loving behavior such as gifts, flowers, or doing special things for victim. Victim: Trusting, hoping for change, wants to believe partner’s promises. Abuser: Edgy, has “minor” explosions, may become verbally abusive, some hitting, slapping/ other incidents begin. Victim: Feels tense / afraid, “walking on eggshells”, feels helpless, becomes compliant, accepts blame. Serious Battering Incident

7. Why doesn’t she just leave? Stay? Leave

8. Barriers to Leaving… CONTROL (Isolation/Limited Access to Resources) Embarrassment, Shame, Guilt Fear (Chances of being killed increase 75% upon leaving) Love Children Economics Religion/Commitment to Marriage Denial Low Self-Esteem Hope (that things will change/get better)

9. So, why does she stay???? Because leaving (safely) is a process NOT an event!

10. The question we should really be asking is… WHY DOESN’T HE STOP ABUSING HER?

11. Abuser Treatment is… A therapeutic, psycho-educational service designed to facilitate the change process of DV offenders who make the choice to make a change from being violent & abusive to being non-violent and non-abusive within the context of their intimate relationships. Defining Abuser Treatment

12. Common Philosophy The use of violent & abusive behavior is a choice The most common motivating factor is the desire for power & control The perpetrator is solely responsible for the violent & abusive behavior Substance abuse/addiction & mental health issues do not cause domestic violence All humans have innate worth & a capacity for change

13. Goals of Abuser Treatment VICTIM SAFETY Abuser Accountability Full Responsibility Stop the Intergenerational Cycle

14. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Intake & Assessment –Family, relationship, social, & medical –Past criminal behavior –Violent, abusive, and controlling behavior –Substance abuse, cognitive or social skills –Factors that might interfere with participation in a group program –Lethality assessment

15. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS LETHALITY ASSESSMENT 1.Increase in violence 2.Ownership regarding victim 3.Violation of court orders or probation 4.Relationship changes 5.Access to weapons 6.Life stressors

16. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Lethality Assessment Cont. 7. Frequent or severe intoxication 8. Threatened or attempted homicide or suicide 9. Stalking behavior 10. History of holding victim captive 11. Pet abuse 12. Victim making plans to leave 13. Isolation of Victim

17. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Lethality Assessment Cont. 14. Increased risk-taking by abuser 15. History of sexual assault 16. Acute mental health problems 17. Past use of weapons 18. Strangulation behaviors 19. Violence in family of origin

18. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Victim Safety –Contact w/ victims at intake, midpoint, termination –Victim information kept confidential –Victim & abuser groups do not occur simultaneously –Current MOU with local Victim Service Agency

19. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Program Structure –39 hours of group treatment provided over a minimum of 26 weeks –Each group session must last at least 1.5 hours –Up to 16 participants per group –Two facilitators for groups of more than eight participants –Separate groups for female participants –Must establish locally determined fees

20. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Program Curriculum –Forms of DV –Impact of DV on children, victims, abusers –Emphasis on abuser responsibility –Core beliefs –Alternatives to violence –Healthy relationships –Accountability, self-examination, negotiation, & fairness –Substance abuse, Mental illness & DV –Behavioral, emotional, & physical cues

21. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Prohibited Activities –Couples therapy or counseling –Individual therapy in place of group sessions –Therapy that places responsibility for adult behavior on children or victims –Theoretical approaches that treat DV as a mutual process –Counseling models that identify DV as an addiction & children or victims as enabling and co-dependent

22. NC Mandated Components Participant Termination –Inform judge, district attorney, and/or probation within seven days –Make specific recommendations to judge or probation –Inform victim within two days –Complete risk assessment with victim –Inform victim service agency within seven days

23. NC MANDATED COMPONENTS Program Assessment –Number & source of referrals –Number accepted into program –Analysis of completion rates & reasons for termination –Analysis of contacts with victims –Assessment of program impact

24. BEST PRACTICES Treatment planning based on psychosocial assessment Victim Services Case Coordination Intervention Services Follow-up Evaluation

25. What can you do? Do hold abusers accountable for choices & behaviors Do encourage appropriate choices & behaviors Know red flags Don’t rescue the abuser Don’t collude with the abuser Don’t engage in victim blaming

26. Thank You! If you would like additional information please send an e-mail request to kcampbell@tfsnc.com