The Operational Challenges for Batterer Intervention Programs: Results From a 2-Year Study. Issue 13 (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morrison, Penelope K.; Hawker, Lynn; Miller, Elizabeth P.; Cluss, Patricia A.; George, Donna; Fleming, Rhonda; Bicehouse, Terry; Wright, Kalem; Burke, Jessica; Chang, Judy C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of interpersonal violence. Volume 34:Issue 13(2019)
• Page Start: 2674
• Page End: 2696
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: intimate partner violence -- batterer -- intervention; Violence -- Periodicals; Sex crimes -- Periodicals; Violence -- Périodiques; Crimes sexuels -- Périodiques; 364.15
• DOI: 10.1177/0886260516662307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-2605

Abstract

Batterers intervention programs (BIPs) constitute a primary intervention for perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). There is little understanding as to what operational, or program-level, challenges BIPs face that can impede their effectiveness and adherence to state standards. As part of a 2-year ethnographic study, we conducted 36 individual semistructured interviews with professionals working with BIPs and identified five themes related to program-level challenges for BIPs: (a) information barriers, (b) safety issues, (c) facilitator retention and training, (d) the need for monitoring, and (e) funding constraints. We conclude that continued work needs to be done at both the state and local level, and in coordination with community judicial, mental health, human services, and other agencies to help provide resources that support BIPs in sustained, safe, and as effective as possible work.