Program hopes to teach batterers a better way of living and interacting

In lieu of jail time, men charged with domestic violence can be admitted to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP), which is a group-based treatment program overseen by My Sister's Place.

Two groups "“ one run in Athens, and another in Logan "“ are each facilitated by two clinicians with at least a master's degree in counseling or psychology. Topics covered in the 24 sessions include understanding various types of abuse; distinguishing between assertive, aggressive, and passive-aggressive communications; the consequences of abuse on families and children; and understanding male privileges, explained Dr. Paul Castelino, training director at the Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services at West Virginia University, in an e-mail. He worked as a staff psychologist for Counseling and Psychological Services at Ohio University until August of this year.

The DVIP sessions, which are held once a week, are limited to 12 participants because of the mandated six-to-one ratio between clinicians and participants. About seven to eight people attend each week on average, said Dr. Alissa Leisure-Whitlatch, who works for the DVIP. She is also a therapist at Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare in Athens and works for MSP's Outreach Center for Women. Participants are allowed three no-shows and are dismissed after missing another. Men also can be dismissed for not going to drug or alcohol treatment or for being charged with domestic violence again while in the counseling program. Some can be readmitted.

Participants meet individually with a clinician two times during the intake process, once every 90 days, and once at the end of the program, said Kate McGuckin, executive director of My Sister's Place.

Initially, most men admitted into the program deny or minimize their violent behavior. "I would say most are in denial, but there are exceptions," said Leisure-Whitlatch. "There are some [men] who come into the program who flat-out deny everything. By the end of the program, we hope to change that."

After about 10 sessions, most participants begin to accept at least some degree of responsibility, if not full responsibility, for their actions, said Castelino.

Group discussion is a large part of the program. "I don't know if it's really a written rule, but they have to participate," Leisure-Whitlatch said.

The men are given a homework assignment each week, such as practicing using assertive communication, as opposed to aggressive or passive-aggressive communication. Participants must write on the topic, which is then discussed at the beginning of the next session. Leisure-Whitlatch stressed the importance of having participants write out their reflections because it requires them to really think about the topic rather than simply relate whatever comes to mind. Special accommodations are made for those who are illiterate. Video clips and role-play are also utilized in the sessions.

Leisure-Whitlatch said the group is "pretty mixed," in that there are men that are educated and not very well educated; poor and wealthy; and married, unmarried, and without a partner currently. Men as young as 18 can be admitted into the program, and some are in their 60s.

McGuckin would not comment on whether any OU students attend the program. "We have to advocate for all our clients. We don't reveal any information without their expressed, written consent," she said.