Nature Of Batterers Intervention Programs

(1) These rules apply to Certified Programs that provide intervention services to persons who are court ordered to attend such Certified Programs: (a) as part of their incarceration, (b) as a condition of their probation or parole, (c) as an additional requirement of other non-jail sentencing, (d) as an alternative, in whole or in part, to incarceration, or (e) as a complement to incarceration or to alternative sentencing options under the Tennessee Code Annotated. (2) Definitions. For purposes of these rules: (a) The term “batterer” means an individual who commits acts of domestic abuse against a victim. The terms “domestic abuse” and “victim” are defined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-3-601 (1998 Supp.). (b) The term “intervention” means the use of a time-limited, structured, educational group activity that requires batterers to face the consequences of their behavior, accept responsibility for their abusive actions, confront their rationalizations and excuses, and learn and practice alternative, non-violent behaviors. (c) The capitalized phrase “Certified Program” means any individual, group, agency, or organization that provides batterers intervention services and is certified under these rules as a “certified batterers intervention program.” (d) The capitalized phrase “Victim Advocate” means an employee or volunteer of a victim services agency who works under the supervision of such an agency and has had training and experience working with victims of domestic abuse.