In this article, researchers update a prior systematic review of mandated interventions for individuals convicted of domestic violence.
This update of a prior systematic review examined mandated interventions for individuals convicted of domestic violence. The findings, according to the authors, raise doubts about the effectiveness of court-mandated BIPs in reducing re-assault among men convicted of misdemeanor intimate partner violence. New programs and/or entirely new approaches to this important social problem should be explored. Survey research and analysis of police records, hospital emergency rooms, and women's shelters have clearly established the severity of the intimate partner violence problem and the need to find programs to address this issue. The aim of this review was to assess the effects of post-arrest court-mandated interventions for intimate partner violence offenders that target, in part or exclusively, male batterers. The authors focused on studies aimed at reducing intimate partner violence, above and beyond what would have been expected by routine legal procedures (e.g., probation monitoring, etc.). The authors concluded there is insufficient evidence to conclude that these programs are effective. Both the official measure and the victim reported measures have potential sources of bias, increasing the uncertainty regarding any benefits or harms related to these programs. (Published Abstract Provided)