Indianapolis Counseling Center Batterers Intervention Program

Introduction:

Research has shown that people with abusive tendencies generally turn violent when they feel out of control. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior characterized by the intent to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner or other family members. The abuse can be established over time and in most cases, it begins subtly. Over time the abusive behavior becomes systematic and more frequent and severe. Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence is characterized by violent actions or threats of violent actions, including behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coercive behavior, threats, blame, hurt, injure or wound a victim/survivor. Domestic violence can take many forms such as but not limited to the following:

  • Physical. Any use of force that causes pain or injury, such as hitting, kicking or slapping etc.
  • Sexual. Abuse can include sexual harassment, sexual assault or manipulating a person into having sex by using guilt, coercion, intimidation or threats etc.
  • Emotional and/or verbal. Ongoing criticism, insults, threatening to hurt loved ones and harassment etc.
  • Economic. Attempts to controlling a person’s income or financial assistance, misusing one’s money, making it difficult have access to money or to secure employment.
  • Psychological. Minimizing or blaming a person for the abuse, intimidation, mind games, threats. destroying property etc.

Program Description:

The Indianapolis Counseling Center Batterers Intervention Program (ICCBIP) adheres to the ethical standards and principles of the Indiana Coalition against Domestic Violence (ICADV). We are (ICADV) Certified BIP which is in compliance with Indiana Code 35.50.9.1. The program uses best practice based curriculum.

Core Principles: (ICCBIP) core principles of practice are Safety, Accountability, and Collaboration.

Safety: The safety of the victim/survivor, their family and the community is the primary concern of (ICCBIP). We are victim/survivor advocates and as a result the abusive client intervention is designed to prevent further abusive behaviors. (ICCBIP) considers the victim/survivor, their family and the community to be our first priority. The entire (ICCBIP) is designed to prevent batters from committing further abusive behaviors.

Accountability: (ICCBIP) services are based on the batter taking full and complete responsibility for their abusive behaviors. Domestic violence is choice not a reaction to some perceived provoking stimuli. As a result the batter is fully and completely responsible for their abusive behavior. The entire curriculum reflects accountability and responsibility for abusive behaviors of the batter. The batter will be challenged to be accountable for their behaviors throughout their term of service.

Collaboration: Collaboration is a vital and crucial part of (ICCBIP) services. Professionals in the field of domestic violence have reported the most effective way to stop domestic violence is through education, community policy and collaboration with victim/survivor advocacy supporters. As a result (ICCBIP) will coordinate our efforts to prevent violence through signed release of information and open communication with local coordinated community response efforts to reduce domestic violence. In addition (ICCBIP) therapists/facilitators participate in ongoing training, victim/survivor community activities, collaboration with professionals who work with survivors and offenders of domestic violence.

(ICCBIP) Intervention Philosophy: (ICCBIP) uses a cognitive and behavioral approach in providing educational intervention services for those who batter. (ICCBIP) focuses on complete ownership and accountability of the abusive behavior. Justifications, minimizations, excuses, discounting and blame shifting for abusive behavior is always challenged. All of our services are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, disability or national origin.

(ICCBIP) Goals and Objectives: The primary purpose of the (ICCBIP) is to prevent violence to victim/survivor, families and the community. Our objective is to challenge batters on their justifications and excuses for their abusive behaviors and educate batterers on ways to effectively stop their domestic violence.

Modality for intervention: Group intervention is the preferred modality for those domestic violence abusers. Batterers will participate in twenty six or fifty two weeks of ninety minutes group intervention sessions. The group is open-ended and will accommodate up to sixteen group members.

Documentation: (ICCBIP) uploads weekly and monthly progress notes of the client’s attendance, participation, individual or group session through our confidential website www.icc-indy.com. Such documentation will include session topic as well as any concerns with the client for the referral source. In addition, (ICCBIP) immediately provides "Alert" documentation for clients who fail to attend session, discharged from (ICCBIP), threats of suicide, homicide or violence toward others, violations of probation/parole stipulations, violations of (ICCBIP) Program Guidelines and Contract and violations of (ICCBIP) Behavioral Conduct and Rules.

Referral sources: (ICCBIP) accepts referrals from Probation, Parole, Department of Child Services, Attorneys, Counselors, CASA, advocacy groups, Court and self referrals. All referrals will receive a group screening intake.

Fees: Group Intake screening fee is $50.00 and the weekly group fees for services is based on a modest sliding scale.