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This study investigated the effectiveness of a popular batterers's intervention program in reducing repeated violence among men who were convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. A classical experimental design randomly assigned all 404 male defendants in Broward County Courthouse into an experimental (one-year probation and court-mandated counseling) or control (one-year probation only) conditions. The study followed these men for 12 months, collecting information from offenders' self-reports, victims' reports, and official measures of rearrests. No significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups in their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding domestic violence; both groups were equally likely to engage in both minor and severe partner abuse. In addition, no significant differences were found between the two groups in their rates of rearrest. Further analyses indicated that stake-in-conformity variables (employment and age) predicted both attendance at treatment and reoffending. This research was supported by a National Institute of Justice grant award (NIJ-96-WT-NX-0008). Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. This study would not have been possible without Judges Geoffrey Cohen and Alfred Horowitz and their deep commitment to helping victims. Thanks to Drs. Robert Boruch and Lawrence Sherman for their encouragement and advice. Sincere appreciation to a great team of research assistants--Dulce Guitierez, Cassandra Harmon, Chelsea Murder, Debora Rothmond, Linda Ryan and Laurie Benson Schultz. Finally, we are grateful to the many victims who spoke with us candidly and at length. This research was supported by a National Institute of Justice grant award (NIJ-96-WT-NX-0008). Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. This study would not have been possible without Judges Geoffrey Cohen and Alfred Horowitz and their deep commitment to helping victims. Thanks to Drs. Robert Boruch and Lawrence Sherman for their encouragement and advice. Sincere appreciation to a great team of research assistants--Dulce Guitierez, Cassandra Harmon, Chelsea Murder, Debora Rothmond, Linda Ryan and Laurie Benson Schultz. Finally, we are grateful to the many victims who spoke with us candidly and at length. Notes This research was supported by a National Institute of Justice grant award (NIJ-96-WT-NX-0008). Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. This study would not have been possible without Judges Geoffrey Cohen and Alfred Horowitz and their deep commitment to helping victims. Thanks to Drs. Robert Boruch and Lawrence Sherman for their encouragement and advice. Sincere appreciation to a great team of research assistants--Dulce Guitierez, Cassandra Harmon, Chelsea Murder, Debora Rothmond, Linda Ryan and Laurie Benson Schultz. Finally, we are grateful to the many victims who spoke with us candidly and at length.
Feder et al. (Sat,) studied this question.