One of the batterer programs is the couples’ group treatment. Couples group treatment is effective because it helps bring together couples where the wife or the husband is not fearful of their partner. The focus of couples’ group therapy is to deal with the problem that caused the marital violence (Holtzworth-Munroe, 2001). After the underlying problem is addressed, couples group therapy focuses on addressing the aggressor directly, which made it an effective way of ensuring that the problem was addressed in an inclusive manner. Couples group therapy works because it enables families to be rebuilt and stay together even after a painful occurrence. Couples group therapy batterer program differs from gender-specific group interventions.
In gender-specific group interventions, women or men perpetrators are brought together in therapy. They receive treatment that addresses their underlying emotions and their relation to violent outbursts. For example, a man could be a batterer because he was abused as a child, and the gender-specific batterer programs help such men unearth these problems (Holtzworth-Munroe, 2001). Another batterer program is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). For example, men who are batterers can be enrolled in feminist-cognitive-behavioral didactic group treatment. When men join such feminist geared therapy, it becomes effective in helping them learn how to deal with psychological problems such as re-living their childhood traumas, giving up control over other people, and learning the art of empathizing with others (Holtzworth-Munroe, 2001).
Such a program is psycho-educative in helping batterers understand why they could have perpetrated the violence and how they can change such behaviors. The other batterer program is Duluth model that was designed for male perpetrators. This intervention helps challenge the male authority ideology and teaches batterers how to be supportive and respectful in relationships (Kernsmith & Kernsmith, 2009). For example, men are taught that women are equal partners in marriage and should be treated with love and respect.
Batterer programs can be improved by promoting victim safety. For example, couples group treatment can be improved by having the security of the victim put into greater consideration. The program focuses on both the perpetrator and victim where they work towards working on their relationship. However, if the program is not successful, the victim could be in danger in future and so the safety of the victim should be considered at all times (Holtzworth-Munroe, 2001). For example, measures should be put in place such as regular follow-up to ensure that the victim is no longer in harm’s way. Another improvement should be promoting batterer accountability.
For example, the cognitive-behavioral therapy programs reduce the responsibility of the perpetrator by focusing on underlying issues that caused the violence. These underlying issues could be matters such as the batterer being abused as a child. However, this should not be an excuse to perpetrate violence against others. For that reason, such programs should emphasize accountability. Finally, the batterer program should incorporate the needs of men. Most of the programs such as the Duluth model view men as perpetrators and women as victims. However, it is evident that women are also abusers. As a result, the programs should also emphasize protection of men (Kernsmith & Kernsmith, 2009).
Aftercare plans will help offenders by ensuring that they adhere to the treatment. For example, aftercare would ensure that offenders are constantly reminded of the wrongs they did and stay of the right track. Aftercare ensures that the offenders do not relapse. Another importance of aftercare is to give support to the offenders to ensure that they do not feel alone. This will boost their energy and will-power to keep away from doing violent acts in the future (Kernsmith & Kernsmith, 2009).
