Wednesday, December 6, 2017

About Rehabilitation of Domestic Violence Perpetrators

There are always two sides to every domestic violence case: the victim’s and the perpetrator’s. Most often, during legal proceedings, victims are rehabilitated to cope with the trauma and recover eventually.

But what about the perpetrators? Are they qualified for such amenity?

The fact that perpetrators can undergo rehabilitation and actually change from their violent ways has been a subject of debate in the legal industry, particularly among Las Vegas domestic violence attorneys, and even in the entire state of Nevada where a certain Batterer’s Intervention Program exists. Nevada’s Committee on Domestic Violence coordinates, tracks, and handles these rehabilitation programs for perpetrators in line with NRS 228.470 and NAC Chapter 228.

The Fundamentals of the Intervention

According to the State of Nevada’s Batterer Treatment Standards, an intervention for domestic violence perpetrators consists of “a variety of theories, modalities and techniques”. A domestic violence perpetrator is considered different from other violent offenders and should be treated using a different approach.

The primary aim of an intervention is to put an end to the violence and prevent recidivism or the repetition of the criminal act of the convicted. Looking profoundly into it, a treatment program aims to build compassion for the perpetrators and make them recognize that their behavior is negative and entails consequences like incarceration.

Rehabilitation for domestic violence perpetrators is still relatively new, but with the desire to eliminate the root of violence which is in the perpetrator, the community and the legal system are pushing hard for its implementation. Currently, there are different rehabilitation programs available which cater to different people, regardless of gender, age and, social standing.

How Does Perpetrator Treatment Work?

Domestic violence perpetrators can enlist themselves voluntarily for a program, but 80% of attendees are involved because of a court order. An intervention is done during the accused’s probation.

Through the State’s sponsorship, the treatment ensues within a running date of more than 24 weeks, while the shortest time is 12 weeks.

During a treatment, therapists use different program models as a syllabus for a perpetrator’s road to enlightenment. These are the following:

The Duluth Model

This philosophy focuses on dominance and force. It lets the perpetrators realize that they are accountable for their violent behavior.

The Feminist Socio-Political Theory

This model denotes that the violence of a male perpetrator is due to a mind-set of gender inequality. The Feminist Socio-Political Theory aims to teach to male perpetrators that genders are equal.

The Cognitive Behavior Therapy

From the name itself, the cognitive is tapped upon the use of this model. The mind is a powerful force and therapists use this to develop ways of thinking that will eventually manifest on actions.

Psycho Educational Model

This approach utilizes education to treat a perpetrator through tangible means like worksheets, visualizations, and activities.

The Effectiveness of the Program

Just like any other forms of therapy, the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program for a perpetrator varies. There are numerous studies that show its increased effectiveness, while there are also opposed findings.

It’s essential to understand the side of a perpetrator in a domestic violence case, no matter how appalling it may seem. Intervention programs for domestic violence perpetrators exist because of one reason: the hope that an individual can improve.

If you want to know more about rehabilitation for domestic violence perpetrators, get in touch today with Ross Goodman, the trusted domestic violence attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada!