Gender-based perspectives on batterer programs: program leaders on history, approach, research, and development

Gender-Based Perspectives on Batterer Programs responds to the intense debate about the approach and effectiveness of batterer programs, especially in light of the 'evidence-based practice' movement. But it does so through a collection of 24 interviews with batterer program founders and leaders who have been working in the field for 25 to 35 years. In the process, it answers many of the misconceptions and misrepresentations of batterer programs, and highlights their contributions and development. It also offers recommendations to researchers and the field in general that would help strengthen the work overall. More specifically, the book is a follow-up to the author's research-oriented book, The Future of Batterer Programs: Reassessing Evidence-Based Practice (Northeastern University Press, 2012). That book critically reviewed the research on batterer programs in light of the demand for documentation of program effectiveness and documented the effective role of batterer programs in an intervention system. It also exposed the need for 'evidence-based practice' research to include the feedback, interpretations, and critique of practitioners who have their own 'evidence' to contribute. In Gender-Based Perspectives on Batterer Programs, a summarizing introduction and conclusion on leadership frame the set of leader interviews. The collection of interviews represents an archive of the experience and wisdom of long-term workers in the field--many of whom are on the verge of retirement. This 'database' should help researchers develop more meaningful studies, and ground research results in actualities of the work. Ideally, the interviews will also help practitioners realize their commonalities and better represent themselves to their critics and public in general.

Acknowledgements -- Introduction: respect, accountability, and justice -- The duluth model / Michael Paymar, Domestic Abuse Intervention Program, MN -- John beams, center for non-violence, in, graham barnes, battered women¿s justice project, mn -- Individualized problem-solving / David Adams, Emerge, MA, David Garvin, Alternatives to Domestic Aggression, MI, Ted German, Emerge, MA -- Clinical integration / Paul Bukovec, Menergy, PA, Gary Gibbens, YWCA of Calgary, Canada, Chris Huffine, Allies in Change, OR -- Activist oriented / Dick Bathrick, Men Stopping Violence, GA, Ulester Douglas, Men Stopping Violence, GA, Phyllis Frank, Volunteer Counseling Services, NY, Hamish Sinclair, Manalive, CA -- Women leaders / Toby Myers, Pivot, TX, Alyce LaViolette, Alternatives to Violence, CA, Sara Elinoff Acker, Men Overcoming Violence, MA, Lisa Nitsch, House of Ruth, MD -- Other approaches / Dave Mathews, Domestic Abuse Project, MN, Tim Kelly, Changing Ways, London, Canada, David Russell, Second Step, PA, Steven Pepping, Peaceful Solutions, WA -- Beyond abusive men / Lisa Young Larance, RENEW, MI, Juila Perilla, Caminar Latino, GA, Craig Norberg, Jane Doe Inc., MA -- A final thought -- About …