The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The NY Model for Batterer Programs program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence: Batterer Intervention Programs, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse
• Target Population: Civil and criminal courts or agents of the court that see or monitor domestic violence cases and the men who appear before them.

There are 8 locations in the state of New York providing a version of the NY Model for Batterer Programs. The purpose of the NY Model for Batterer Programs is to provide a service to the civil and criminal court systems, for men who appear in front of the court in relation to acts of domestic violence. A NY Model for Batterer Program is utilized to extend judicial monitoring and as a mechanism for offender accountability.

To function effectively it is crucial that:

• A NY Model for Batterer Program is not used as a diversion from a more serious consequence.
• Orders to attend are made only when the court will issue a consequence to the offender who does not comply. The key role of a NY Model for Batterer Program is to provide the courts with an opportunity to assess an offender's seriousness about following this condition of a court order (i.e., participating in the program itself). To further clarify, the program is not focused on individually treating the offender that has been court-ordered to attend the program; but it is focused on rigorously monitoring participant adherence to program policies and procedures, including attendance and tardiness. Compliance reports, tailored to each court, are sent to the court in a reliable and meticulous manner.

• The program holds participants accountable only for what the group facilitators can actually hold them accountable for (i.e., arriving on time, carrying and showing a fee card, paying exact amount [no change made], behaving respectfully in sessions). The participant cannot be held accountable for anything such as behavior outside of the sessions. It is imperative that participants are told the policies and then be held to them in a dependable, fair, and just manner.
• The "end client" of a NY Model for Batterer Program is the court, not the individual participant.
• Material presented in the sessions is less critical than meticulous reporting to the court about participant compliance within NY Model for Batterer Program policies.
• Only court-ordered men are registered in a NY Model for Batterer Program.
• There must be a court-imposed consequence for non-compliance.
• An order to attend is not appropriate as a diversion from a more serious consequence.
• NY Model for Batterer Programs only operate in relationship to the battered women's movement and in support of their local domestic violence coalition.
• NY Model for Batterer Programs do not make contact with partners of men who are ordered to attend.
• NY Model for Batterer Programs evolve and change as new information and experience becomes apparent.

NY Model for Batterer Programs was not designed with a child component.

NY Model for Batterer Programs was designed with a parent/caregiver component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Parenting and the impact of men's abuse of women (fathers' abuse of mothers) is a topic covered in sessions.

NY Model for Batterer Programs was designed to be conducted in a group setting; but has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

3-35 participants.

Recommended Intensity:

One 90-minute session per week for the men participants. There is constant contact between the program and the court to report participant's adherence to program and attendance policies.

Recommended Duration:

Minimum orders are for 26 weekly sessions. Maximum orders are for 52 weekly sessions. The number of sessions is the decision of the court.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Community Agency

This program does not include a homework component.

NY Model for Batterer Programs has materials available in a language other than English:

Spanish

For information on which materials are available in this language, please check on the program's website or contact the program representative (contact information is listed at the bottom of this page).

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

• Two instructors for each session
• Room size may dictate number of participants
• White board or flip chart.

Sessions most safely held in active building where other people are present — not isolated.

There are no specific educational credentials. Extensive experience in the movement to end intimate partner violence (men's violence against women) and commitment to adhere to the model is helpful for supervisors. Individual instructors should have an initial training requirement of approximately 40 hours, followed by on-going weekly or bi-weekly supervision.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Phyllis B. Frank
  pbfrank@nymbp.org
  phone: (845) 634-5729 x312

Training is obtained:

Two-day national training institutes are conducted twice annually in New York State and are available on-site of the requesting organization.

Number of days/hours:

Training is tailored to the needs of the requesting communities, organizations and/or individuals. Half day to three day training is available.

Additional Resources:

There currently are additional qualified resources for training:

• Catholic Charities of Buffalo, NY – www.ccwny.org
  Contact: Gregory White
  Email: gregory.white@ccwny.org
  Phone: 716-896-6390
  Buffalo, NY 14219
• A New Hope Center
  Contact: Rose Garrity
  Email: garrityanhc@aol.com or anhc@att.net
  Phone: 607-687-6887
• Safe Horizon's Domestic Violence Accountability Program – www.safehorizon.org
  Contact: Juan Ramos
  Email: jramos@safehorizon.org
  Phone: 212-385-0663 x16

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Not Specified

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for NY Model for Batterer Programs.