The Impact of a Batterer Intervention Program on the Family System of Perpetrators
Date Issued
2008
Date
2008
Author(s)
Wang, Tz-Huei
Abstract
Batterer intervention programs were established in Taiwan after the promulgation of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act in 1998. These programs mainly target men arrested for domestic violence. This study aims to present the perspectives of batterers’ family members, including violent men who are ordered by the court to complete a batterer intervention program, battered women and their children, in order to study the effect of the programs on the batterers and their families, and explore their expectations toward the programs. Being based on the perspective of family systems, this paper first explores the effects and changes of batterers’ families after the batterers participated in the program. The research method included in-depth interview with four families (nine persons), in order to collect information on their feelings and expectations. The interviews also discussed the impact of the program on the batterers’ behavior and their own lives. The data were categorized as “family history”, “batterers’ experience”, and “battered women and children’s experience” in terms of open coding and axial coding. The results indicated that: a) The partners often disagree with the occurrence, level, and frequency of violence. Batterers tend to underreport an assault when compared to victims. b) The effects of the programs vary in different marital relationships, and there are no obvious effects on parent-child relationships. c) Some batterers are improved by the program, but some may be affected negatively. d) Some batterers would blame their partners for the program participation. e) Both battered women and children hope that batterers stop their violence, change their attitude, and become responsible husbands and fathers. Most of them do not know about the program and possible results after the batterer’s participation in the program. f) Battered women and children suggest some points to improve the programs, including flexible forms of program design, lengthening the programs and follow-up, anger management skills for batterers, and encouraging positive parenting. Therapists should follow up on battered women to ensure their safety. The findings implied that we should consider the safety of battered women and children in program design and implementation. The therapists should evaluate regularly and keep contact with battered women to avoid secondary wounds. Moreover, therapists should coordinate with workers of social service, police, prosecutors or other related networks. They may learn about the programs and cooperate to rebuild the function of families. Finally, mass media is a crucial segment of the community, and need to advocate nonviolent faith and construct nonviolent living environment.
Subjects
domestic violence
batterer intervention program
batterer
family study
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