A Randomized Study Comparing Batterer Intervention and Alternative Treatment Approaches for Domestic Violence Offenders

在美国，大多数被判犯有家庭暴力罪行的罪犯都被要求参加全国2000个施暴者干预计划(BIP)之一。BIPS将一群施暴者聚集在一起接受治疗，以追究他们对自己的罪行的责任。最近的研究对BIP的有效性提出了严重的质疑，因为BIP的高流失率，几乎没有证据表明态度和行为改变，以及与受害者的不一致接触。一些州现在正在为家庭暴力犯罪提供其他治疗方法；包括犹他州在内的一些州要求在一段时间的BIP治疗后提供这些替代方案。另一种选择是和平圈(CP)，它涉及与犯罪者建立社会契约，并与自愿参与的受害者、大家庭成员和训练有素的社区成员每周举行会议，以鼓励行为改变。另一种选择是夫妻冲突小组(CCG)，它为多对夫妇提供了一个论坛，通过参与小组讨论来解决他们的不满，他们在小组讨论中接受并向其他成员提供帮助。这项研究在犹他州盐湖城进行，采用随机对照设计来比较BIP、CP和CCG的有效性。这项研究特别测试了BIP、CP和CCG的组合，以确定哪一种在减少暴力行为方面最有效。研究的第一部分将亲密伴侣和家庭暴力犯罪者随机分为只接受BIP计划或BIP加CP计划。研究的第二部分只将受害者愿意参与治疗的亲密伴侣暴力案件随机分为仅BIP-ONLY、BIP-PLUS-CP或BIP-PLUS-CCG。这项研究的发现将通过测试由不同暴力行为模式驱动的治疗方法，促进对家庭暴力的理论理解。它们还将产生更广泛的影响，为旨在打击家庭暴力的更有效项目的发展提供信息。

Most offenders who are convicted of domestic violence crimes in the U.S. are mandated to attend one of the nation's 2000 batterer intervention programs (BIPs). BIPs bring groups of batterers together in treatment to hold them accountable for their crimes. Recent research raises serious questions about the effectiveness of BIPs due to high attrition rates, little evidence of attitudinal and behavioral change, and inconsistent contact with victims. A number of states are now offering other treatment approaches for domestic violence crimes; some states, including Utah, require these alternative programs to be offered after a period of BIP treatment. One alternative, Circles of Peace (CP), involves developing a social compact with the offenders and weekly conferences with voluntarily participating victims, extended family members, and trained community members to encourage behavioral change. Another alternative, Couple Conflict Group (CCG), offers a forum for multiple couples to address grievances by engaging in group discussions in which they receive and offer help to other members. This study, sited in Salt Lake City, Utah, uses a randomized control design to compare the effectiveness of BIP, CP, and CCG. The study specifically tests combinations of BIP, CP, and CCG to determine which is most effective in reducing violent behavior. Part I of the study randomizes intimate partner and family violence offenders into either a BIP-only program or BIP-plus-CP program. Part II of the study randomizes only intimate partner violence cases in which the victim is willing to participate in treatment into BIP-only, BIP-plus-CP, or BIP-plus-CCG.The findings from this research will advance theoretical understanding of domestic violence by testing treatments that are driven by different models of violent behavior. They will also have the broader impact of informing the development of more effective programs intended to combat domestic violence.