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An Exploratory Study of the Relationship Between Human Service Engagement, Recidivism and Completion of a Batterer Intervention Program

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Abstract

Research on intimate partner violence shows that individuals who employ abusive behaviors also often have other psychosocial health problems (e.g., substance use) that may limit their ability to engage in treatment for abuse. Limited information exists regarding the psychosocial health needs of individuals who perpetrate abuse and how those needs play a role in their ability to follow through and complete an intervention program. Administrative data from one batterer intervention program (BIP) (N = 330), the local Department of Human Services, and court records were used to explore the relationship of service involvement to post-BIP recidivism. We found that over half the sample had engagement with DHS prior to starting the BIP, and general welfare, health and medical assistance, and behavioral health services were the most accessed programs. Additionally, recidivism for any crime was significantly higher among those with prior DHS involvement. Individuals who perpetrate abuse and who have a history of contact with DHS may represent the most vulnerable population with regards to both risk for attrition from a BIP and future recidivism. Future studies should seek to understand best practices for referrals and coordinated care for individuals who perpetrate abuse and ensure access to a broad range of services to help assist in reducing violent behaviors.

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Notes

  1. The state of Pennsylvania recognizes five charges as related to domestic violence, simple assault, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, stalking, and harassment. It not possible, however, to identify the victim and his/her relationship to the perpetrator in the criminal record in relationship to these charges (i.e., it is very possible that the charge applies to a non-intimate partner victim). It is also not uncommon for perpetrators to be charged with other types of crimes (e.g., breaking and entering, burglary) as a part of their IPV arrest. Thus, without knowing the victim/perpetrator relationship and in absentia of a singular charge for IPV, it is not definitively clear in the court record which charges constitute an IPV crime.

  2. The highest convicted charge refers to the most severe charge that the individual was convicted of, as opposed to the most serve charge that the individuals was initially charged with at the time of arrest. For example, an individual in our sample may have been arrested for aggravated assault which is a felony of the first degree; however, he may be convicted (as the result of lack of evidence, plea bargaining, etc.) of simple assault which is a misdemeanor of the second degree. Thus, in the court record, the simple assault would be listed as the highest convicted charge.

  3. The Supplemental Table shows additional information for specific types of post-BIP convictions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Pennsylvania Coalition againstDomestic Violence and the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh for their support.

Funding

Support for this work was made possible by grant funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Penn State New Kensington, New Kensington, PA, 15068, USA

    Penelope K. Morrison

  2. Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Kelley Jones

  3. Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Elizabeth Miller

  4. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Patricia A. Cluss

  5. Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Harrisburg, PA, USA

    Donna George

  6. Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Rhonda Fleming

  7. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and General Internal Medicine, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Judy C. Chang

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Contributions

Study conception and design: All authors. Acquisition of data: Penelope Morrison. Analysis and interpretation of data: Penelope Morrison, Judy Chang. Drafting of manuscript: Penelope Morrison, Kelley Jones, Judy Chang. Critical revision: All authors.

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Morrison, P.K., Jones, K., Miller, E. et al. An Exploratory Study of the Relationship Between Human Service Engagement, Recidivism and Completion of a Batterer Intervention Program. J Fam Viol 37, 475–485 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00280-7

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