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Domestic Violence Courts: Batterer Programs

All domestic violence courts mandate batterer programs to some degree, but states that emphasize rehabilitation are more likely to order offenders to attend such a program. About one-third of domestic violence courts refer almost all  offenders to these programs; the remaining two-thirds vary in their use of this intervention. [1]

In addition to batterer programs, most domestic violence courts order offenders to substance abuse treatment, mental health services, or parenting classes as needed. [2]

NIJ researchers have evaluated the most common batterer intervention programs. Most findings show that these programs do not change batterers' attitudes toward women or domestic violence, and that they have little to no impact on reoffending.