NCJ Number
206217
Date Published
June 2003
Length
66 pages
Annotation
This report presents evaluation findings from the Community Assistance Program’s (CAP) domestic violence program for young men.
Abstract
Offered through the Wilder Foundation, CAP’s domestic violence abuse program for young men offers 12 weekly group therapy sessions and an average of 2 sessions between the client and their counselor. The group therapy provides preventative counseling, support, and education for teenagers who have experienced violence or abuse. The four main goals of the program are: (1) clients will reduce or eliminate violence from their relationships; (2) clients will practice assertiveness rather than violence; (3) clients will be satisfied with the program; and (4) parents will be satisfied with the program. In order to assess the effectiveness of the CAP’s domestic violence program for young men, researchers collected questionnaire data from clients at intake and at a 6-month follow-up. Clients also completed the Interpersonal Behavior Survey (IBS). During Fiscal Year 2000-01, the domestic violence program serviced 93 clients, an increase over the 78 clients served the previous year. Descriptions are offered of clients; the most frequent characteristics reported by clients were patterns of assaultive behavior and parental divorce or separation. Comparative analysis to previous program years indicated a large percentage increase in adjudicated delinquents accessing program services between the 1999-2000 and 2000-01. Other items showing percentage increases of 15 percent or more included assaultive behavior, temper tantrums, and attentional deficits. Other major findings include a decrease in the use of violent behaviors at the 6-month follow-up; decreased use of violence toward most targets, but increased violence against girlfriends; the consequences of violent behavior most often involved parental or school discipline; and improved assertiveness skills and decreased use of aggression at 6-month follow-up. In terms of client and parent satisfaction, 64 percent of clients reported feeling “good” or “very good” about the program and 73 percent of parents reported a decrease in their son’s violent behaviors. Eight recommendations are offered for program improvement, including increasing communication between program staff and parents and addressing the increase in client violence toward girlfriends. Figures, appendix