To end domestic violence, heal the abusers, say those who do the healing
To end domestic violence, heal the abusers, say those who do the ... witnessla.com
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Incorporating a Healing Approach in Batterer Intervention Programs to Reduce Re-Arrest Rates
In the world of family violence, the focus is on healing victims – the survivors. This means a strong emphasis on raising funding for domestic violence shelters, thousands of research projects, state and federal legislation, and work to change the criminal justice response. But that approach provides help for only half the people involved in the problem.
The Other Half: Batterers
Batterers, the other half, have one option, generally speaking: punishment. Go to jail and/or complete a 26- or 52-week batterer intervention program. Every year, about 500,000 people receive sentences to take one of a hodgepodge of about 2,500 programs. Most of these require participants to take responsibility for their sexist beliefs and stop abusing their partners by teaching them alternative responses for handling their anger.
The Traditional Approach and Its Limitations
The programs focus repeatedly on how badly abusers have behaved. There is little effort to help them understand that their anger comes from childhood trauma and that naming and acknowledging those experiences can lead to accepting their behavior and then healing. As a result of this traditional approach, 12% to 60% of participants in batterer intervention programs are re-arrested for abusing their partners.
The Need for Change
It’s no surprise that domestic violence is still so prevalent and that the numbers of domestic violence calls to police haven’t changed much over the last few years. The dearth of research into figuring out what works to help an abuser to stop abusing “is such a neglected area of study that the field has almost ceased to exist,” according to a paper published this year by Casey Taft and Jacquelyn Campbell. That’s shocking, considering that the economic toll of domestic violence in the U.S. rolls into the trillions of dollars.
Healing-Centered Programs
Some bright spots have emerged that offer realistic hope to drastically change these numbers. They’re based in science and data, not “clinical assumptions and lore,” as Taft and Campbell describe the current system. These programs take a healing approach.
Programs Developed by Nada Yorke and Dr. Amie Zarling
Over the last several years, two women—Nada Yorke and Dr. Amie Zarling—began developing batterer intervention programs independently; both took a healing-centered approach. While Yorke focuses on writing curriculum and training, Zarling focuses on research and training. Both operate on the premise that if your only experiences are abusive, how do you know what’s healthy? How do you NOT pass on the unhealthy aspects of a relationship to your children?
The Success of Nada Yorke’s Program
Yorke, a retired probation officer, developed her program in Kern Valley State Prison and at Garden Pathways, a family services organization in Bakersfield. After 30 months, only one of the 32 men who finished the program was re-arrested for domestic violence; of the 15 who did not complete the program, 5 were re-arrested for domestic violence. The results also showed that those who completed the program took personal responsibility for the abuse they committed.
The Success of Dr. Amie Zarling’s Program
Zarling developed her program called Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior (ACTV). After reviewing records for 1,353 men who participated in ACTV and 3,707 who used the traditional Duluth model, only 3.6 percent of the men were re-arrested for domestic violence after going through ACTV, compared with 7 percent who used the Duluth model.
Understanding Childhood Adversity and Healing
The science of childhood adversity shows that people who commit family violence and survivors of family violence often have similar experiences growing up. Understanding the link between childhood trauma and family violence is crucial. Healing-centered programs teach participants about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how they can impact behavior. By understanding their past experiences, participants can begin to heal and make healthier choices.
The Importance of Positive Childhood Experiences
Positive childhood experiences can counteract the effects of ACEs. These experiences include having supportive family relationships, participating in community traditions, and feeling a sense of belonging. Healing-centered programs emphasize the importance of positive experiences in promoting healing and resilience.
The Path to Change
Incorporating a healing approach in batterer intervention programs is crucial to reducing re-arrest rates and promoting healthier relationships. Programs like those developed by Nada Yorke and Dr. Amie Zarling have shown promising results in helping abusers understand their behavior, take responsibility, and make positive changes. By addressing the root causes of violence and providing tools for healing, these programs offer hope for breaking the cycle of family violence.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Re-arrest rates for participants in batterer intervention programs.
- Retention rates for participants in batterer intervention programs.
- Reduction in domestic violence calls to police.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | – Re-arrest rates for participants in batterer intervention programs. – Reduction in domestic violence calls to police. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. |
– Re-arrest rates for participants in batterer intervention programs. – Retention rates for participants in batterer intervention programs. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: witnessla.com
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