244-RICR-00-00-2
244-RICR-00-00-2. Comprehensive Standards (version Periodic Refile, 10/24/2005 to 01/27/2008)
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 1
BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAM
COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS
Date: August 4, 1998
Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 2
BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAM COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS
Table of Contents
BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAM STANDARDS SUMMARY ..........………….....
page 3
I.
PURPOSE STATEMENT ...................................................................................…..
page 4
II.
HISTORY, AUTHORITY, APPLICABILITY, AND SCOPE .................………....…..
page 5
III.
PRINCIPLES AND GOALS ..............................................................................…...
page 6
IV.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS .................……….....................................................…..
page 7
A.
Appeal..........................................................................................……….....
7
B.
Batterers..…......................................................................................……...
7
C.
Batterers Intervention Program .......................................................……....
7
D.
Complaints.......................................................................................……....
7
E.
Court Mandate .................................................................................……... 7
F.
Domestic Violence ......................................................................………..... 8
G.
Facilitators ...........................................................................................…...
8
H.
Family or Household Members ......................................................…….....
8
I.
Post-Enrollment Certification Application.............................................……
8
J.
Psycho-Educational Group ................................................................… . 8
K.
Variances.............................................................................................…….
9
V.
ACCOUNTABILITY: OFFENDER AND PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES ......……….…..page 9
A.
Responsibilities to Victims and the Community ...........................…..............
9
B.
Confidentiality and the Limits of Confidentiality ........................................….
11
C.
Batterer Responsibilities and Rights ........................................................….
12
D.
Program Records .....................................................................................….
13
E.
Non-Discrimination ..................................................................................... ..
13
VI.
PROGRAM CONTENT AND FORMAT ......................................................……………. page 14
A.
Curriculum .................................................................................................…..… 14
B.
Identified Problem, Focus of Intervention, and Referrals for Other Services…... 16
C.
Referrals and Intake ................................................................................….…..
17
D.
Group Format Standards .........................................................................……..
18
E.
Standards of Conduct for Group Participants ............................................……
19
F.
Participant Fees .........................................................................................……
19
VII.
GROUP FACILITATORS AND OTHER STAFF .........................................……………. page 20
A.
Program Responsibilities .........................................……..........................……. 20
B.
Facilitator Qualifications ...........................................................................…….. 22
C.
Supervisor Qualifications .........................................................................……..
23
D.
Nature of Facilitator Supervision ......................................……................……..
23
E.
Standards of Conduct for Group Facilitators............................................... ….. 24
VIII.
RECOMMENDED PROGRAM FEATURES .....................…….................……………... page 25
IX.
APPENDICES ..............................................................................................…………… page 26
A.
Power and Control Wheel ..........................................................................……
27
B.
Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee ...........…….. 28
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 3
BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAM COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS
SUMMARY
Domestic violence is a crime. The consequences for the perpetrator include criminal sanctions, and require participation in and
completion of a batterers intervention program. In accordance with RIGL §12-29-5 and §12-29-5.1-3, all Court mandated domestic
violence offenders shall be referred to a batterers intervention program that is certified by the Batterers Intervention Programs
Standards Oversight Committee as meeting identified minimum standards.
The standards are founded on certain essential principles. Certified batterers intervention programs must demonstrate a commitment
to victim safety and abuser accountability. While each and every standard is considered important and necessary, key program
elements are summarized as follows:
BATTERERS INTERVENTION IS CONDUCTED IN THE CONTEXT OF PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL GROUPS OF PEERS
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL FACILITATORS TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED IN SUCH WORK.
*This provision is specifically required by law.
GROUP MEETINGS OF 1½ TO 2 HOURS EACH TAKE PLACE FOR A MINIMUM OF 20 WEEKS; TOTAL CONTACT
TIME IS 40 HOURS OR MORE.
*This provision is specifically required by law.
ALL BATTERERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY FEES FOR THE PROGRAM. HOWEVER, PROGRAMS ACCOMMODATE
VARYING LEVELS OF ABILITY TO PAY BY MEANS OF SLIDING FEE SCALES, AND HAVE THE OPTION OF
OFFERING ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS COMMUNITY SERVICE OR DEFERRED PAYMENT FOR SOME PORTION OF
THE FEES.
*This provision is specifically required by law.
GROUPS OF 11-18 PARTICIPANTS HAVE TWO OR MORE CO-FACILITATORS; SMALLER GROUPS CAN HAVE ONE
FACILITATOR.
PROGRAMS MUST ENSURE THAT ALL BATTERERS GROUPS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE WITH BOTH
MALE AND FEMALE FACILITATORS, PREFERABLY WORKING AS A TEAM.
GROUP FACILITATORS ARE GENERALLY REQUIRED TO HAVE A MINIMUM OF A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN A
RELATED FIELD OF STUDY, WITH SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO PREPARE THEM FOR THEIR WORK. SUPERVISION
IS TO BE PROVIDED BY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED MASTER’S LEVEL PROFESSIONALS.
BATTERERS ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY, AND ARE TAUGHT NON-ABUSIVE BEHAVIORS. THEY
ARE CONFRONTED WITH THE IMPACT OF THEIR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR, AND ARE HELD TO BE FULLY
RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR CHOICES.
BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS HELP BATTERERS TO RECOGNIZE THAT BEING NON-ABUSIVE
REQUIRES A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT THAT GOES BEYOND COMPLETING THE PROGRAM.
BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO VICTIMS AND TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE,
AS WELL AS TO THE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THEIR CONTRACTS WITH BATTERERS SPECIFY
THAT REPORTS OF ATTENDANCE, COOPERATION AND PARTICIPATION ARE REPORTED AS APPROPRIATE TO
ADULT PROBATION AND/OR OTHER REFERRING AGENCY, THE COURT, AND VICTIMS. ALL DANGEROUS OR
THREATENING BEHAVIOR IS REPORTED TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 4
STANDARDS DATE:
August 4, 1998
BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAM COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS
I.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Violence cannot be condoned under any circumstances. All abusive behavior has
consequences. Violence and other forms of abuse within a family, household, or domestic
relationship are especially egregious: issues of access, trust, dependency, children, and
intimacy profoundly exacerbate the immediate effects of the abuse itself and often become
tools in its perpetration. The home, which should be the source and expression of greatest
security and comfort, instead becomes the center of conflict, fear, injury, and threat,
undermining the safety, health and well-being of the individuals who experience and witness
abuse. Children are especially vulnerable to victimization: child abuse often co-occurs with
partner abuse, and witnessing abuse of a parent is itself abusive to children.
The perpetrator of domestic violence is solely responsible for the abusive behavior and its
consequences, and the entire legal and service system must act together in order to hold
the abuser accountable. An effective and coordinated response to domestic violence
depends upon the courts, prosecution, law enforcement, probation, victim services, health
care system, social service agencies, and batterers intervention programs working
collaboratively. The foundation for such a coordinated response is the law.
In 1988, the Rhode Island State Legislature passed the Domestic Violence Prevention Act,
Title 12, Chapter 29 of the Rhode Island General Laws (RIGL). Among other things, this
law mandates that a police officer shall make an arrest if he/she has probable cause to
believe that a crime of domestic violence has been committed. Section §12-29-5, as
amended in 1997, states:
Every person convicted of or placed on probation for a crime involving domestic
violence or whose case is filed pursuant to §12-10-12 where the defendant pleads
nolo contendere, in addition to any other sentence imposed or counseling ordered,
shall be ordered by the judge to attend, at his or her own expense, appropriate to
address his or her violent behavior, a batterer’s intervention program.
A further addition to this section of the law defines batterers intervention program as a
program that is certified by the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight
Committee to be in accordance with minimum standards. The Oversight Committee,
established in 1997 by RIGL §12-29-5.1-3, is empowered to establish and promulgate
minimum standards for batterers intervention programs serving mandated batterers; to
monitor and review batterers intervention programs seeking certification, including periodic
on-site review; to certify those programs that are in compliance with the standards; and to
investigate and decide appeals, complaints, and requests for variances. (See Appendices
A and B of the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Rules of Practice and Procedure
for the full text of the statutes.)
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 5
Subsequent to such legal mandates, and in order to improve the coordination and
effectiveness of the community response to domestic violence, the Rhode Island
Department of Corrections/ Adult Probation and Parole, the Office of the Attorney General,
and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence have cooperated with other
community agencies to develop and implement these standards of performance for
organizations providing intervention services to mandated batterers. While fields of study
and practice relative to domestic violence are still new and changes are inevitable, it is
nevertheless incumbent upon the community to act upon our best current understanding of
the principles and dynamics of domestic violence, and to insist upon the most effective
interventions possible.
These comprehensive program standards are established for the purpose of defining a
batterers intervention program, as referenced in law; and for the purpose of enabling a duly
constituted Oversight Committee to identify, certify, and monitor programs that shall be
eligible for referrals of court mandated batterers. The intent of the standards is to
encourage ethical and quality services that insist on the accountability of perpetrators; that
teach and support perpetrators in learning non-abusive behavior; that make every feasible
effort to stop perpetrators from committing further abuse; and that are committed to
providing safety for, and accountability to, victims of domestic abuse.
II.
HISTORY/ AUTHORITY/ APPLICABILITY/ SCOPE
The effort to develop standards for batterers intervention programs was initiated by the
Office of the Attorney General, with substantial support from the Rhode Island Coalition
Against Domestic Violence and participation by other community agencies. By mutual
agreement, the Rhode Island Department of Corrections / Adult Probation and Parole later
assumed the primary leadership role. Statutory authority for this role was subsequently
sought by means of amendments to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (RIGL §12-29-5
and §12-29-5.1-3). The law requires that domestic violence offenders (convicted, on
probation, or whose cases are filed) attend a batterers intervention program certified by the
Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee as meeting certain
standards. Authority for the Oversight Committee, chaired by the Department of
Corrections, became effective immediately upon passage in June, 1997. Effective January
1, 1998, court mandated domestic violence offenders shall only be referred to certified
batterers intervention programs.
As defined in law, the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee is
comprised of thirteen (13) representatives of various community agencies and members of
the public. The Oversight Committee is responsible for development and on-going review of
standards; monitoring of batterers intervention programs; certification of programs that are
in compliance with the standards; and investigating complaints and appeals. The
composition of the Oversight Committee, the statutory description of its duties and
responsibilities, and the rules of procedure guiding these activities are detailed in the
Batterers Intervention Program Standards Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
page 6
Agencies and practitioners seeking certification under the terms of §12-29-5 and §12-29-
5.1-3 are encouraged to request review and apply for certification through the Batterers
Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee. Successfully meeting the standards,
or being in substantial compliance and having an accepted action plan to address
discrepancies, makes a program or practitioner eligible to receive referrals of court
mandated domestic violence offenders. However, certification does not constitute licensure
of facilities, practitioners, or other services that may be offered by the same person(s) or
agency; nor does certification guarantee or imply a guarantee of referrals or monetary
support.
The Oversight Committee has no power or intention to prevent, prohibit, or enjoin practices
not in conformity with the standards. Community agencies and practitioners are not
obligated to conform to these standards, nor to apply to the Oversight Committee for
certification; any individual, agency or program may serve non-mandated clients who are
domestic violence perpetrators. In addition, the law provides that post-enrollment
certification may be requested by a batterer who has, prior to adjudication, enrolled in a
program not certified by the Oversight Committee.
All service providers involved with domestic violence perpetrators or victims, whether the
services are directly related to domestic violence or incidental to it, and whether or not
criminal charges have been filed, are strongly urged to become aware of the relevant
issues, principles, dynamics, and ancillary services in recognition of the specialized nature
of intervention for domestic abuse.
III.
PRINCIPLES AND GOALS
Domestic violence is a crime. The consequences for perpetrators sanctioned pursuant to
RIGL §12-29-5 include criminal penalties, and require participation in and completion of a
certified batterers intervention program. Among the principles and goals at the core of
programs certified by the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee
are the following:
Batterers are responsible for their own behavior, and must be held
accountable for that behavior.
Violent, threatening, and abusive behavior is purposeful, serving to exercise
power and control over another individual.
Abusive behavior is a choice, not an illness.
Individuals can learn alternatives to abusive behavior, and can behave non-
abusively.
Batterers intervention differs from and is not replaceable by substance abuse
treatment, mental health services, family/ marital/ couples or other counseling.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
page 7
Becoming and remaining non-violent and non-abusive requires a sustained
commitment by the abusive person.
Those who have been victimized by an abusive person, or who could be
victimized, have no legal, moral, ethical, or personal responsibility for the
abuser’s behavior.
IV.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
A.
Appeal is a request by a program for reconsideration of a decision made by the
Oversight Committee with respect to its certification as a batterers intervention
program. Details regarding the appeals process can be found in the Batterers
Intervention Program Standards Rules of Practice and Procedure.
B.
Batterers are perpetrators of domestic violence (defined below). While the majority
of batterers are males and the majority of victims are females, batterers as well as
victims can be male or female.
C.
Batterers Intervention Program is a program that is designed specifically to
address issues of abuse, power and control, with domestic violence offenders, as
defined in RIGL §12-29-2. Programs offered for mandated offenders must be
certified by the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee as
meeting certain minimum standards. The term intervention connotes an interruption
in the learned behavior of the batterer with an opportunity to change this behavior
and the underlying values. For the purpose of these standards, such intervention will
not be referred to as treatment, a term that can imply that a physical disease or
mental illness is responsible for the batterer’s behavior. Batterers intervention
programs can either stand alone or be part of a larger multi-service agency.
D.
Complaints are formal accusations, charges, or reports of problems made by a
batterer, victim, staff member, referral agent, or any member of the public regarding a
batterers intervention program policy, practice, staff conduct, or other substantive
matter related to the standards or to other requirements under law. Details regarding
the complaint process can be found in the Batterers Intervention Program Standards
Rules of Practice and Procedure.
E.
Court Mandate refers to a command, order, or direction, either written or oral, which
a court is authorized to give and an individual is bound to obey. For the purposes of
these standards, court mandate refers to the requirement that a batterer participate in
a certified batterers intervention program, as delineated in RIGL §12-29-5. These
standards shall apply only to batterers intervention programs seeking court mandated
referral
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 8
F.
Domestic Violence as defined in RIGL §12-29-2 includes, but is not
limited to, any of the following crimes when committed by one family or
household member against another: simple assault, felony assault,
vandalism, disorderly conduct, trespass, kidnapping, child snatching,
sexual assault, homicide, violations of the provisions of a protective order,
and stalking. Batterers intervention programs shall address issues related
to domestic violence, including emotional, physical, sexual, verbal, or
economic abuse which is used by one person to gain and/or maintain
power and control over another person in an intimate relationship.
Domestic violence occurs independent of
marital status or sexual orientation, and crosses all age, racial, cultural,
educational, religious or economic background of those involved. Related
terms that may be found in this document include domestic abuse,
battering, violence, and abusive relationship.
G.
Facilitators are trained and experienced professionals who deliver the
information, curriculum, and content of the batterers program, and monitor
and direct the interaction of individuals within the group format.
H.
Family or Household Member as defined in RIGL §12-29-2 includes
spouses, former spouses, adult persons related by blood or marriage,
adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided
together in the past three (3) years, persons who have a child in common
regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together, and
persons who are or have been in a substantive dating or engagement
relationship within the past six (6) months.
I.
Post-Enrollment Certification Application is defined in the statute as an
application made to the Oversight Committee by a batterer mandated to
attend a certified batterers intervention program who has, prior to
adjudication, enrolled in a program not certified by the Committee. Details
regarding the post-enrollment certification process can be found in the
Batterers Intervention Program Standards Rules of Practice and
Procedure.
J.
Psycho-Educational Group is the identified model for conducting
batterers intervention. This model suggests that the optimal opportunity
for abusive persons to learn new behaviors, to “unlearn” abusive
behaviors, and to re-examine their own underlying beliefs and values is in
the context of a group of peers, led by one or more professional facilitators
trained and experienced in such work. The learning that occurs is the
result of the interactive and observational experiences among group
members and facilitators, as well as modeling, values clarification, skill
building, and other interpersonal and intrapersonal dynamics, all of which
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 9
help to convey and give meaning to the didactic instruction that also takes
place.
K.
Variances are accepted deviations from general program format and
established program standard(s), granted by the Oversight Committee in
response to a specific request by a batterers intervention program. A
variance is not intended as a means of circumventing existing standards; it
is intended to address new or exceptional circumstances, and must be for
a specific identified purpose. A variance must be requested, must be
justified, and must be shown to have no detrimental effect on the
substance of the program standards. Details regarding the variance
process can be found in the Batterers Intervention Program Standards
Rules of Practice and Procedure.
V. ACCOUNTABILITY: OFFENDER AND PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary goal of batterers intervention is to stop abuse in order to enhance
the safety of known and potential victims. As a result, program principles,
practices, and organization must incorporate awareness of and sensitivity to the
needs of victims; hold batterers accountable for their own behavior; and report on
offender compliance to the criminal justice system.
Batterers intervention programs shall have written policies reflective of the basic
standards, program requirements, principles, and practices as set forth in this
document. Programs shall maintain such written records of activities as needed
to document compliance with requirements and standards.
A.
Responsibilities to Victims and the Community
Principles of victim safety shall guide the conduct of batterers intervention groups
and all other activities of batterers intervention programs.
1.
Batterers intervention program staff are obligated to report any
credible threat to harm self or others. Under the legally recognized
concept of “duty to warn,” such threats shall be reported to the
police immediately, and reasonable efforts shall be made to notify
any identified victim. If the victim cannot be located, the victim
advocate and/or the Victims of Crime Helpline at (800) 494-8100
shall be contacted. Adult Probation and/or other referral source
shall be notified as soon as possible. Illegal, dangerous, or
threatening behavior that does not appear to pose an immediate
credible risk of harm shall be reported to the appropriate individuals
and/or authorities (victim, advocate, Adult Probation, police) within
a reasonable time frame, according to the nature of the behavior.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 10
2.
Programs shall inform victims with whom they have contact that
completion of a batterers intervention program is not a guarantee
that the abuse will stop; and shall articulate to such victims that
being non-abusive requires long-term commitment and continuing
effort on the part of the batterer.
3.
Other victim contact by the batterers intervention programs is
ordinarily appropriate only for the purpose of providing information
about the specific intervention program and batterers intervention in
general; the enrollment and attendance or non-attendance of the
batterer; and referrals for victim services from local domestic
violence service programs. The Rhode Island Coalition Against
Domestic Violence shall maintain and make available sample
brochures for victims and updated lists of local domestic violence
victim services.
4.
Victims contacting batterers intervention programs with inquiries
about specific batterers shall be referred to Adult Probation and/or
other referral source for any information about batterers except
enrollment status and attendance record. Victims shall be offered
referral information for victim service programs.
5.
Batterers intervention programs shall not ask a victim to support or
expedite a batterer’s participation in the program.
6.
If an agency offers a batterers intervention program and also
provides services to victims, the following safety precautions shall
be in place:
a.
Program staff providing services to batterers or
victims shall not provide services to both partners.
b.
Program staff providing services to victims shall not
share information about individual victims with batterers
intervention staff.
c.
Programs for victims shall not be offered at the same,
overlapping, or adjacent time periods, at the same location
as those for batterers.
d.
All reasonable efforts shall be taken to avoid having
batterers and victims present at the same time, and victim
safety and privacy shall not be compromised.
7.
Batterers intervention programs shall work cooperatively with
shelters for victims of domestic abuse, victim advocates, the
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 11
criminal justice system, and task forces formed on behalf of victims
of battering.
8.
Batterers intervention program staff shall maintain familiarity with
state laws regarding domestic violence and protective and no-
contact orders; maintain a resource library for referrals for victims to
advocates, support services, shelters, and access to protective
orders; and be familiar with local law enforcement, prosecution, and
court policies regarding domestic violence cases.
9.
Batterers intervention programs shall establish and work to
maintain linkages with the criminal justice system. Programs shall
be responsive and accountable to the criminal justice system,
including but not limited to reporting each batterer’s compliance
with program and mandated requirements.
B.
Confidentiality and the Limits of Confidentiality
As clients of a social service agency, batterers are entitled to reasonable privacy
and confidentiality, including protections provided by law, regulation, and ethical
considerations. However, public safety requirements impose limitations on
confidentiality.
1.
Batterers intervention programs shall develop and implement
written policies which require that upon enrollment, mandated
batterers shall provide written and signed authorization to release
confidential information regarding program enrollment, attendance,
cooperation, participation, and fee payment status for the purpose
of reporting to Adult Probation, the court(s) having jurisdiction, other
law enforcement entities, and victims and/or their representatives.
2.
Enrolled batterers shall be informed that dangerous, threatening, or
illegal behavior within the batterers intervention program or coming
to the attention of program staff shall not be considered
confidential; and that such information shall be communicated to
appropriate individuals and authorities.
3.
Batterers intervention programs shall notify identified victims and/or
victim advocates, Adult Probation and/or other referral sources
when court mandated batterers are terminated from the programs
prior to completion.
4.
If audio or video taping is done of groups for release in the public
arena, consent shall be secured from the identified victims of
participants, as well as from the participants themselves.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 12
5.
Batterers intervention programs that conduct research, participate
in research, and/or provide data to researchers shall ensure that
the research protocols disguise or eliminate identifying information
related to batterers and victims.
6.
Programs requesting certification shall provide reasonable access
to individuals authorized by the Batterers Intervention Program
Standards Oversight Committee for the purpose of program review
and certification. Such individuals shall be permitted to review
client and program records, observe group sessions, conduct staff
and/or client interviews, and perform other activities as part of the
certification process and in accordance with duly established
procedures.
7.
With the indicated exceptions, client information and records shall
be kept strictly confidential.
C.
Batterer Responsibilities and Rights
1.
Upon enrollment, batterers shall be provided with a written contract
that specifies their obligations for program attendance, cooperation,
participation, and responsibility for fees and/or alternative
arrangements. The contract shall be reviewed and signed by the
batterer and by a staff member of the intervention program. The
staff member’s signature shall attest to having read the contract to
the client, and having provided a copy to the client.
2.
At the time of intake and assessment by program staff, batterers
shall be asked to provide a thorough history of their abuse in
current and past relationships, as well as any and all other violence.
3.
Mandated batterers shall be required to authorize release of
confidential information to enable the batterers intervention
program to exchange information with Adult Probation and/or other
referral source, with courts having jurisdiction, and with other
service providers as appropriate to the individual’s situation.
4.
Batterers intervention programs shall develop a mechanism for
considering and responding to written complaints from batterers,
victims or other individuals regarding staff conduct, program
practices, or other substantive matters. Program participants shall
be informed that there is such a process for filing complaints, the
details of which shall be made available to any interested person.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 13
D.
Program Records
1.
Individual participant records (paper and/or computer files) shall be
maintained by batterers intervention programs throughout the
individual’s enrollment in the program. Following discharge,
satisfactory or unsatisfactory, the program shall maintain at least a
summary of batterer participation. All such individual records shall
be maintained in a secure, confidential, and private manner, for a
minimum of three (3) years until such time as they are destroyed.
2.
Batterers intervention programs shall assess participant progress
and shall produce monthly status reports. Status reports,
termination reports, and completion reports shall address, at a
minimum, the batterer’s attendance, missed sessions, cooperation,
participation, and payment status. Such reports
shall be made a part of the individual’s record; shall be provided as
appropriate to Adult Probation and/or other referral sources; and/or
shall be provided directly to Rhode Island courts having jurisdiction
in court mandated cases.
3.
Batterers intervention programs shall maintain records of written
complaints from batterers, victims, staff, and other individuals, and
shall note the dispositions of such complaints. Batterers
intervention programs shall also maintain records of unusual
incidents, as defined by program policies. Such records shall be
maintained for a minimum of three (3) years.
4.
Batterers intervention programs shall maintain summary or
statistical data including (but not limited to) numbers of referrals,
numbers of enrollments, numbers of batterers completing the
program, and numbers of batterers discharged prior to completion.
E.
Non-Discrimination
1.
Batterers intervention programs shall maintain written policies and
shall implement practices that prohibit discrimination against
victims, batterers, staff, or other individuals on the basis of race,
class, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or
mental ability, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
2.
All programs shall provide physical, communication and
programmatic access to persons with disabilities and shall have
physically accessible facilities or an alternative option for disabled
batterers, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 14
VI.
PROGRAM CONTENT AND FORMAT
Batterers intervention program goals, values, practices, curricula and policies
shall reflect the basic principles enumerated in this document and summarized in
Section III. Principles.
A.
Curriculum
Batterers intervention programs shall implement a psycho-educational group
intervention model of practice that incorporates at a minimum the following
topics, concepts and skills:
1.
Domestic violence shall be defined as a serious crime.
2.
Domestic abuse shall be defined as part of a pattern of coercive
control that may include physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and
economic abuse.
3.
Batterers must be held fully responsible for their abuse.
4.
Batterers intervention programs shall consider violent and abusive
behavior to be a choice for which the abuser is responsible.
Programs shall recognize that violence is a learned pattern of
behavior supported by a system of beliefs and attitudes.
Alternative explanations, excuses, or justifications shall be rejected,
including substance abuse, psychopathology, provocation or
behavior on the part of the partner, or lack of self-control.
5.
A responsibility plan shall be developed with each batterer,
including basic steps the batterer agrees to take in conflict
situations to assure the safety of the partner(s).
6.
Programs shall employ and explain a model, such as the Power
and Control Wheel (see attachment), which illustrates different
forms of abusive behavior and specific examples of such behaviors.
7.
Batterers intervention programs shall demonstrate techniques
and/or tools for choosing non-abusive behavior, including but not
limited to work done outside of the group on a weekly basis.
8.
Communication skills training shall be included in the curriculum.
9.
The program curriculum shall inform batterers about the impact of
the abuse on the partner.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 15
10.
The program curriculum shall inform batterers about the impact of
the abuse on children; the incompatibility of abuse with responsible
parenting; and the relationship between domestic violence and
child abuse.
11.
The program curriculum shall inform batterers about the impact of
the abuse on other household members and witnesses.
12.
The program curriculum shall inform batterers about gender role
stereotypes, and how they affect the potential for abuse.
13.
The program curriculum shall inform batterers about the
relationship between sexual abuse and pornography, and how they
affect the potential for abuse.
14.
The program curriculum shall inform batterers about substance
abuse and its relationship to domestic violence.
15.
Programs shall inform the batterers that completion of a batterers
intervention program is not a guarantee that the abuse will stop;
and shall articulate to batterers that being non-abusive requires
long-term commitment and continuing effort on the part of the
individual batterer.
16.
All materials shall be presented in a manner that maximizes
comprehensibility to batterers of various levels of education,
literacy, or cognitive skills.
17.
All materials shall be presented in a manner that demonstrates
cultural sensitivity and non-discrimination.
18.
Programs that offer bilingual or non-English speaking groups shall
ensure that the facilitators demonstrate awareness and
understanding of participants’ culture as well as language.
19.
Cultural and social influences that contribute to abusive behavior
shall be identified, and shall not be used to excuse or justify
individual responsibility for abuse.
20.
Information, attitudes, beliefs, and principles shall be conveyed by
means of a variety of methods and techniques, such as
confrontation, support, education, skills building, modeling
behavior, role playing, rehearsal, journal keeping, homework
assignments, or others appropriate to the group participants,
material, and staff.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 16
B.
Identified Problem, Focus of Intervention, and Referrals for Other
Services
1.
Batterers intervention programs shall explicitly identify their focus
as domestic abuse/ domestic violence. The client need or problem
to be addressed by the batterers intervention program shall not be
identified as substance abuse, mental health problems, marital or
couples counseling, or other diagnostic labels, whether for
insurance or other purposes.
2.
Treatment for substance abuse, mental health problems, marital or
couples counseling, individual counseling, or any other treatment or
intervention shall not substitute for intervention specific to domestic
violence, as required by statute.
3.
If the intake or subsequent evaluation reveals evidence of a
substance abuse problem, notification shall be provided to Adult
Probation and/or other referring agency. Substance abuse
treatment shall not substitute for batterers intervention.
4.
If the intake or subsequent evaluation reveals evidence of a mental
health problem, notification shall be provided to Adult Probation
and/or other referring agency. Mental health treatment shall not
substitute for batterers intervention.
5.
If as a result of the intake or subsequent evaluation, a batterer is
considered inappropriate for group participation based upon
behavior or any condition a facilitator deems likely to interfere with
the ability to participate meaningfully in group or with the group
process, the individual shall be referred back to Adult Probation
and/or other referral source for a determination as to how to
address the domestic violence. Individual sessions covering a
comparable batterers intervention curriculum may in this instance
be considered as an acceptable alternative or supplement to
participation in a group.
6.
Batterers intervention programs shall articulate that their
commitment is to stop the abuse and enhance the safety of victims,
rather than to resolve other relationship or personal issues.
7.
Batterers intervention programs shall not incorporate couples
counseling or mediation between couples. Any program that also
works with couples shall recognize the danger to the victim where
there is continued violence and shall not conduct such couples
work until the offender has completed a batterers intervention
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 17
program, there is no evidence of ongoing violence, and the victim is
in full uncoerced agreement.
8.
Batterers intervention programs shall deem unacceptable for the
purposes of batterers intervention codependency or other models
that attribute shared responsibility to both partners for continued
victimization.
9.
Batterers intervention programs shall consider to be inappropriate
any modality that places blame on the victim, asks the victim to
take responsibility for the batterer’s violence, expects the victim to
support the partner’s participation in the program, intimidates the
victim, or assumes equal power within an abusive relationship.
10.
Batterers intervention programs shall recognize that impulse control
or anger management approaches that teach ventilation techniques
(such as punching pillows) can perpetuate abusive behavior and
are inappropriate.
C.
Referrals and Intake
1.
At the time of enrollment, batterers intervention programs shall
inquire whether the participant has been referred to the program as
a result of court involvement. If so, the program shall promptly
send (mail or fax) notice of enrollment to Adult Probation and/or
other referral source.
2.
No batterers intervention program shall knowingly enroll a court
mandated individual who is currently enrolled in or has been
referred to another program, except with the express agreement of
Adult Probation and/or other referring agency.
3.
Batterers intervention programs shall make every effort to admit a
batterer into the program within two (2) weeks of the batterer’s
initial contact with the program. If admission to the program is not
immediate, the program shall maintain contact with the batterer no
less than once a week until the batterer begins a group. If the
program projects that no group will be available within fourteen (14)
calendar days, Adult Probation and/or other referral source shall be
notified.
4.
The intake process and ongoing assessment shall include such
activities as: interviewing and gathering available information (for
instance: identifying information, abuse history, social history, and
arrest history); contracting with client ( review of program rules and
expectations, fee payment schedule, limits of confidentiality,
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 18
completion of written agreement); and initial and ongoing
assessment ( with particular attention to substance abuse, medical,
and mental health needs and lethality risk).
D.
Group Format Standards
1.
Batterers intervention shall be conducted in the context of psycho-
educational groups of peers under the leadership of professional
facilitators trained and experienced in such work.
2.
Batterers intervention program groups shall meet a minimum of
twenty (20) weeks with a total of at least forty (40) contact hours.
Each batterer shall be credited only for time actually in attendance,
and fee collection shall not be included within the required contact
hours.
3.
Group sessions shall be scheduled for one and one half to two (1½
- 2) hours each in duration. Groups shall begin and end at
scheduled times, with prohibitions against late arrival and early
departure.
4.
A group of ten (10) or fewer participants shall have one (1) or more
facilitators. A group of eleven (11) to eighteen (18) participants
shall have two (2) or more co-facilitators. The maximum size of
groups is eighteen (18) participants.
5.
All groups shall have comparable experience with both male and
female facilitators working cooperatively, either at the same time
(as with co-facilitators) or successively (as in small groups with a
single facilitator). The preferred mode is a working team of male
and female. In the event of an emergency or temporary
unavailability of a particular facilitator, the program may utilize
another facilitator, regardless of gender, for a limited period of time.
6.
All groups shall be comprised of adults (age 18 and older) or
minors (age 17 and younger); the two age groups shall not be
mixed.
7.
All groups shall be comprised of batterers of the same gender.
8.
Any batterer who misses more than two (2) consecutive sessions,
or who misses more than three (3) sessions in total, shall be
considered non-compliant and shall be dismissed unsatisfactorily.
A program seeking to make an exception for specific reasons shall
consult with Adult Probation and/or other referral source.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 19
9.
Any batterer who is adjudicated on a new domestic violence
offense while enrolled in a batterers intervention program, or after
having completed a program, shall be required to re-enroll and
complete an entire program, consistent with the legal mandate
(RIGL §12-29-5). Adult Probation and/or other referring agency, in
consultation with the batterers intervention program, shall
determine whether the batterer shall be required to return to the
same program or to a different program.
10.
Batterers intervention programs shall report at least monthly to
Adult Probation and/or other referral source regarding individual
batterers’ attendance, missed sessions, cooperation, participation,
and payment status; and shall provide a written discharge summary
upon successful or unsuccessful termination. If a court mandated
batterer is dismissed from the program while enrolled in the group,
the program shall notify Adult Probation and/or the Rhode Island
court having jurisdiction the next business day.
E.
Standards of Conduct for Group Participants
Batterers intervention programs shall develop rules and standards of conduct for
all group participants. Upon enrollment, each batterer shall be informed of such
rules and standards, which at a minimum shall include (but not be limited to) the
following:
1.
Programs shall require that batterers refrain from any and all
violence and abusive behavior within the group.
2.
Programs shall require that batterers attend all sessions free of
nonprescription drugs or alcohol.
3.
Programs shall require that batterers refrain from having any
weapon in their possession while attending the group.
4.
Programs shall require that batterers take full responsibility for their
abusive behavior.
F.
Participant Fees
1.
All batterers shall pay fees for program services. This is an
important part of taking responsibility for their own violent behavior
and is consistent with RIGL §12-29-5, which states that each
batterer is required to attend an intervention program “at his or her
own expense.”
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 20
2.
In recognition of the genuine hardship faced by many individuals,
and in an effort to reduce barriers to participation, each program
shall also demonstrate a means of accommodating batterers who
show that they are unable to pay full fees, if they are otherwise
appropriate for services. In no case shall the amount to be paid be
reduced to zero (0).
3.
Fees shall be based upon a sliding scale; and/or programs may
elect to offer
batterers who are unable to pay full fees an opportunity to do
unpaid community service for a non-profit organization designated
by the batterers intervention program in exchange for some part of
the fees. Community service shall not be performed for any agency
providing batterers intervention programs. Programs may elect to
offer batterers a deferred payment schedule.
4.
Upon enrollment in the batterers intervention program, each
batterer shall be provided with a written contract delineating fees
and/or community service for which the batterer is obligated and
specifying the time frame for payment and/or service. The contract
shall include a provision for requesting reconsideration of the terms
of payment in the event that the batterer’s financial circumstances
change substantially.
5.
A batterer who fails to comply with the contract for fee payment
and/or performance of designated community service and who has
not renegotiated the terms of the agreement shall be considered
non-compliant and may be dismissed unsatisfactorily. In all such
cases, the program shall consult with Adult Probation and/or other
referral source.
VII.
GROUP FACILITATORS AND OTHER STAFF
A.
Program Responsibilities
1.
Batterers intervention programs shall recruit, hire, train, and
supervise staff in accordance with policies that promote
professional conduct, effective intervention, and victim and
community safety.
2.
All program personnel policies shall be based upon non-
discrimination; and programs are encouraged to recruit staff who
reflect the diversity of the community.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 21
3.
Programs shall maintain a drug free and violence free workplace.
Staff shall be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal, for
substance abuse, violence, or other abusive behavior.
4.
Programs shall develop a mechanism for considering and
responding to complaints from batterers, victims, staff, or other
individuals regarding staff conduct, program practices, or other
substantive matters. Programs shall maintain records of such
complaints and their disposition for a minimum of three (3) years.
5.
Programs shall notify batterers, victims, staff, or other individuals of
the process for filing complaints with the Batterers Intervention
Program Standards Oversight Committee.
6.
Programs shall not tacitly or explicitly condone behavior that
contributes to or perpetuates abuse and oppression, thereby
reducing the effectiveness of the program and placing victims and
potential victims at greater risk for continued abuse. Programs
shall provide internal monitoring mechanisms, training, and
supervision aimed at eliminating such collusion.
7.
Programs shall develop policies to address violence in the
professional and personal lives of program staff.
8.
Programs shall provide orientation for all new staff with respect to
organization goals and philosophy, policies and procedures, safety
precautions, confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality. Non-
facilitator staff shall be provided with basic information and training
regarding domestic violence issues and dynamics.
9.
Programs shall provide, or shall provide access to, a minimum of
twelve (12) hours per year of relevant in-service and on-going
training for all facilitator staff in areas such as: domestic violence
issues and dynamics; victim services and community safety issues;
facilitation and co-facilitation of psycho-educational groups; group
and interpersonal dynamics; assessment and intervention skills;
adult education and instruction; legal issues; counseling; etc. All
required or voluntary training that helps to meet this requirement
shall be documented by the programs, including subject, trainer,
participants, and number of hours.
10.
Programs shall conduct a written evaluation of all new staff at two
(2) or more intervals during the first year of employment. On-going
written evaluation shall be conducted at least yearly thereafter.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 22
11.
Programs shall provide evidence of regular and on-going
professional supervision as described herein for all facilitators by
one or more individuals who are on staff or available as
consultants.
B.
Facilitator Qualifications
1.
All facilitators shall have attained a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
in an appropriate field of study. Fields of study may include (but
are not limited to) social work, psychology, counseling, sociology,
social sciences, child and family services, education, criminal
justice. Exceptional experience, skill, and knowledge may
substitute for some part of the educational requirement. However,
programs must be prepared to explain and justify any such
exceptions.
2.
All facilitators shall have a minimum of forty (40) hours of training
and/or education in related areas, including courses, conferences,
seminars, workshops, and training sessions for which the facilitator
can provide suitable documentation. Relevant areas of training
and/or education may include (but are not limited to) domestic
violence issues and dynamics; victim services and community
safety issues; facilitation and co-facilitation of psycho-educational
groups; group and interpersonal dynamics; assessment and
intervention skills; adult education and instruction; legal issues;
counseling; and any other areas as may be deemed appropriate by
the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight
Committee. Such training and/or education shall have been
completed prior to employment by the program, and/or during the
initial six (6) months of employment.
3.
Facilitators who are new to leading batterers intervention groups,
regardless of their academic qualifications, shall work with a
seasoned co-facilitator for their first 100 group hours. For these
purposes, a seasoned facilitator shall mean an otherwise qualified
individual who has completed a minimum of 100 hours or one (1)
year experience leading batterers intervention groups, and a
minimum of forty (40) hours training and/or education.
4.
Facilitators shall participate in a minimum of twelve (12) hours per
year of training and/or education in areas such as: domestic
violence issues and dynamics; victim services and community
safety issues; facilitation and co-facilitation of psycho-educational
groups; group and interpersonal dynamics; assessment and
intervention skills; adult education and instruction; legal issues;
counseling; and any other areas as may be deemed appropriate by
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 23
the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight
Committee.
C.
Supervisor Qualifications
1.
All program staff or consultants who supervise facilitators shall
have attained a minimum of a Master’s degree in an appropriate
field of study. Fields of study may include (but are not limited to)
social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, social sciences,
child and family services, education, criminal justice. Exceptional
experience, skill, and knowledge may substitute for some part of
the educational requirement. However, programs must be
prepared to explain and justify any such exceptions.
2.
Facilitator supervisors shall have a minimum of three (3) years
substantive experience in related fields, including both victim and
perpetrator issues. Relevant experience shall include work closely
involved with such areas as domestic violence issues and
dynamics; victim services and community safety issues; facilitation
and co-facilitation of psycho-educational groups for batterers; group
and interpersonal dynamics; clinical assessment, intervention, and
therapeutic skills; adult education and instruction; legal issues;
counseling; and any other areas as may be deemed appropriate by
the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight
Committee.
3.
Facilitator supervisors shall participate in a minimum of twelve (12)
hours per year of on-going training and/or education in issues
related to domestic violence, batterers intervention services, group
facilitation, staff supervision, and any other areas as may be
deemed appropriate by the Batterers Intervention Program
Standards Oversight Committee.
D.
Nature of Facilitator Supervision
1.
Supervision shall be directed at monitoring, improving, and
providing feedback on areas of competency including (but not
limited to) group facilitation and co-facilitation skills; instructional
methods; communication of curriculum; potential for collusion;
ethics; awareness of victim and safety issues; ensuring
accountability by group participants; group process issues;
individual offender issues; intervention strategies; outside service
needs; coordination with other service providers and monitors, such
as Adult Probation, the courts, substance abuse treatment
professionals, and victim service agencies; relevant laws and legal
issues; and so on.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 24
2.
Supervision time, frequency, and format shall be appropriate to the
level of education, training, and experience of the facilitators, and to
their group contact time. Facilitators are to receive a minimum of
four (4) hours supervision per month, except that supervision may
be reduced to two (2) hours per month for a facilitator who leads no
more than one (1) group per week.
3.
Supervision modalities may include direct individual or group
meetings.
E. Standards of Conduct for Group Facilitators
Batterers intervention programs shall implement policies, staff monitoring,
training, and/or other mechanisms that ensure that facilitators promote non-
abusive behavior among group participants. Facilitators shall be required to set
a positive personal example as an important means of communicating, teaching
and modeling appropriate behavior.
1.
Facilitators shall be violence free in their professional and personal
lives.
2.
Facilitators shall attend all sessions free of alcohol and other drugs,
and with no weapons in their possession.
3.
Facilitators shall demonstrate respect for and cooperation with their
co-facilitators; and shall share group leadership responsibilities,
including confrontation and support of participants.
4.
Facilitators shall conduct themselves in a manner that consistently
promotes and demonstrates respectful and non-abusive language,
behavior, and attitudes.
5.
Facilitators shall hold batterers responsible and accountable for
their abusive behavior.
6.
Facilitators shall demonstrate support for the batterers’ process of
change.
7.
Facilitators shall confront minimization and denial of abusive
behavior.
8.
Facilitators shall promote zero tolerance for any level of abuse.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 25
9.
Facilitators shall challenge attitudes of sexism, victim-blaming, and
oppression (expressions of power and control over other
individuals) in all its forms.
10.
Facilitators shall prohibit participants from engaging in any form of
abuse in group.
VIII.
Recommended Program Features
Batterers intervention programs are encouraged to incorporate additional
features which would be compatible with the basic program principles and
requirements, and which could enhance the effectiveness of the program and the
safety of victims. Examples of such features might include:
1.
Programs provide follow-up options for batterers to maintain
contact after completion of the basic program, such as crisis
intervention and/or on-going work.
2.
One or more programs establish a hot line for batterers in crisis.
3.
Programs incorporate a contract option by which willing batterers
would relinquish all weapons while in the program.
4.
Programs institute use of trained peer sponsors as a support
network for batterers.
5.
Programs investigate potential uses of videotapes, audiotapes,
and/or personal appearances to introduce group participants to
real-life experiences of victims.
6.
Programs conduct evaluation of program effectiveness (clearly
defined) through recognized research methods.
7.
Programs maintain a minimum group size of six (6) whenever
feasible.
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 26
IX.
APPENDICES
A.
Power and Control Wheel
[See page 27]
B.
Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee
[See page 28]
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 27
A.
Power and Control Wheel
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 28
B.
Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee
The composition of the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight
Committee as designated by law, the statutory description of its duties and
responsibilities, and the rules of procedure guiding these activities are detailed in
the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Rules of Practice and Procedure.
As of August 8, 1998, the following individuals were members, designees, or
alternates on the Oversight Committee:
CHAIR:
George A. Vose, Jr., Director, RI Department of Corrections
Designee: Sisan Smallman, Assistant Administrator, Adult Probation and Parole
Alternate (Vice Chair): Stephen King, Judicial Planning Unit, RI Supreme Court
MEMBERS:
Joseph E. Smith, Executive Director, Governor’s Justice Commission
Designee: Kathy Loiselle (Interim Designee), Governor’s Justice Commission
Deborah DeBare, Executive Director, RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Designee: Francie Mantak, Director of Public Policy, RI Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
Law Enforcement Appointment by RI Police Chiefs Association
Designee: Col. Michael T. Brady, Chief of Police, Charlestown, RI
Jeffrey Pine, RI Attorney General
Designee: Stephen Cuomo, Director of Administration and Finance, Office of the
Attorney General
Jonathon Houston, Executive Director, Justice Assistance
Designee: Inspector James Rouillier, Case Manager, Justice Assistance
Member of the Electorate Appointed by Governor of RI:
Designee: Michael DiBiase, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor
Alternate: Joseph DiPina, Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor
Janice Dubois, Supreme Court Domestic Violence Training and Monitoring Unit
Designee: Bernadette Beatty, Administrative Aide, Supreme Court Domestic
Violence Training and Monitoring Unit
The Honorable Joseph R. Weisberger, Chief Justice, RI Supreme Court
Designee: Stephen King, Policy Analyst, RI Supreme Court
Batterers Intervention Program Comprehensive Standards
Standards Date: August 4, 1998
Page 29
Dr. Patricia Nolan, Director, RI Department of Health
Designee: Ann Kelsey Thacher, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease
Prevention, RI Department of Health
Alternate: Beatriz Perez, Violence Program Manager, RI Department of Health
Batterers Intervention Program Appointment by RI Coalition Against Domestic
Violence:
Designee: Claude Verdier, Executive Director, PeaceWork
Alternate: David Medeiros, Co-Director, Opportunity for Change
The Honorable Albert E. DeRobbio, Chief Justice, RI District Court
Designee: The Honorable Elaine T. Bucci, Associate Justice, RI District Court
Dennis Langley, Executive Director, Urban League of RI
Designee: Lola M. Brito, Senior Policy Analyst, Urban League of RI