You may download a complete copy of the standards, which were edited in 2010, in pdf format Click Here. If you would like a hard copy of this document please contact us at 800-934-9840, extension 224.

STANDARDS FOR BATTERERS INTERVENTION MISSION STATEMENT

The Standards for Batterers Intervention was created in the early 1990’s and was revised in 1998 by the ODVN Batterers Intervention Committee. This document defines standards for the provision of intervention services to abusive men in coordination with victim concerns. It also provides a basis for evaluation of batterers intervention programs (BIPs). In Ohio, there is no state mandate for BIPs to follow the Standards. However, any BIPs concerned about ethical practice should adhere to these standards.

While the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) Committee on Standards for Batterers Intervention Offense Specific Intervention (OSI) Programs acknowledges that violence can be directed against anyone, this committee and its program focus on violence within the family. The mission of batterers intervention is to eliminate violence in relationships, and to this end, these standards propose that any programming be:

1. Accountable to the prior and potential victims with regard to their safety.

2. Confrontive of the batterer’s aggressive behavior.

3. Supportive of the batterer’s process of change.

4. Accountable to the local domestic violence shelter(s) as well as the local and state domestic violence networks.

5. Coordinated with the community agencies that address domestic violence.

The purpose of this document is to define standards for the provision of intervention to abusive men in coordination with victim concerns. It is also the purpose to provide a basis for evaluation of batterers intervention programs. It is the expectation that any such program have a program guide that includes written philosophy, policies, procedures and protocol.

It is anticipated that all clientele are those persons who inflict violence in intimate relationships. Violence is seen as a pattern of behavior that may include physical, emotional, verbal, sexual and/or environmental abuse(s) that exerts power and control over another in a relationship. It is recognized that some individuals may be excluded from a Batterer Intervention Offense Specific Intervention OSI Program because of a mental or physical disorder that would be more appropriately treated by some other method.

The victims are those harmed by the violence in their relationships. This includes abusive behaviors and attitudes by which they experience loss of power, control and self-esteem. These patterns of violence become persistent and do regenerate, so that victimization is indeed broader, traumatizing children and harming communities. Since a batterer's continued use of violence often reflects societal attitudes, a community response is appropriate. Batterer Intervention OSI Programs have a responsibility to help shape this response.

Batterer Intervention OSI Programs should refer primary victims to victim programs and refrain from attempting to also work with these clients (excluding contact in the context of safety checks or brief contact regarding the intervention plan of the victim’s partner).

Batterer Intervention OSI Programs should recognize the gender differences between male and female offenders and treat them separately. The treatment of female offenders is most effectively provided by an agency or individual primarily serving victims. Thus, a batterer intervention program should be able to make an appropriate referral in a coordinated effort to provide the most effective service to female offenders.

Batterer intervention programs should recognize the clinical and cultural differences between lesbian batterers, gay batterers and male heterosexual batterers and treat them separately. Other issues addressed in the standards are: Accountability; Oversight and Monitoring; Victim Safety; Educational Modalities; Psycho-Educational and Therapeutic Modalities; Grievance Policies; Intake Policies and Procedures; Assessment; Treatment Plans; Confidentiality; Discharge Planning; and Code of Ethics.

You may download a complete copy of the standards which are in pdf format Click Here. If you would like a hard copy of this document please contact us at 800-934-9840, extension 224.