Taming the flame:Taming the flame:Reaching transformation Reaching transformation

while preventing while preventing domestic violence domestic violence

Sujata Swaroop, M.A.Sujata Swaroop, M.A.

Kyle Rundles, M.A.Kyle Rundles, M.A.

Round Table Discussion: Goals and Agenda

Discuss the utility in expanding our current understanding of anger management in preventing domestic violence.

Examine and formulate a response to results from community needs assessment and focused interviews with persons in current mandated anger management programs.

Reflect on the importance of addressing issues of culture, gender, group practice and power in domestic violence prevention programming.

BackgroundBackground

►Anger Management Programs:Anger Management Programs: Often assigned to perpetrators of violent crimes, Often assigned to perpetrators of violent crimes,

such as assault or injury to another personsuch as assault or injury to another person33

Purpose is to make client aware of the triggers, Purpose is to make client aware of the triggers, responses, and consequences of expressing anger in responses, and consequences of expressing anger in maladaptive ways maladaptive ways 44

Usually in a set sequence of topics, activities, and Usually in a set sequence of topics, activities, and worksheets over a fixed number of sessionsworksheets over a fixed number of sessions

ShortcomingsShortcomings► Anger management programs Anger management programs

likely do not cover all violent likely do not cover all violent crime and offer virtually no crime and offer virtually no cultural or gender perspectives cultural or gender perspectives

► Focus on momentary outbursts Focus on momentary outbursts rather than power and control rather than power and control and often neglect the topics of and often neglect the topics of premeditation, taking premeditation, taking responsibility for past abuse, responsibility for past abuse, and prevention of violent crimeand prevention of violent crime11

Case Example: Local CMHCCase Example: Local CMHC

►Designed for moments of anger and anger control strategies without addressing deeper roots of anger or cultural considerations

►Used in an individual format►No inclusion of the concepts of power and

control or preventing domestic violence Concerning considering that some individuals

seeking anger management have domestic violence charges

Need for Domestic Violence Need for Domestic Violence Prevention ComponentPrevention Component

► Several studies have reported that people jailed for domestic violence charges Several studies have reported that people jailed for domestic violence charges are more likely to have a history of violent offenses are more likely to have a history of violent offenses 2,52,5

Crowe (2004) reports that 58 percent of inmates arrested for domestic Crowe (2004) reports that 58 percent of inmates arrested for domestic violence have previous convictions of violent offenses violence have previous convictions of violent offenses

Quann (2006) found that most participants (offenders in DV court) had at Quann (2006) found that most participants (offenders in DV court) had at least one prior conviction, all of which were violent offenses or threats of least one prior conviction, all of which were violent offenses or threats of violence violence

► Aggressive crime usually occurs between people who know each otherAggressive crime usually occurs between people who know each other44

► It seems from this research that individuals with violent offenses may be at It seems from this research that individuals with violent offenses may be at risk for committing domestic violence offenses and would likely benefit from risk for committing domestic violence offenses and would likely benefit from programs that target the prevention of domestic violenceprograms that target the prevention of domestic violence

The Curriculum at a Local CMHCThe Curriculum at a Local CMHC

►Recently reformatted to include:Recently reformatted to include: Power, control, and preventative measuresPower, control, and preventative measures Culture and gender considerationsCulture and gender considerations A larger focus on underlying issuesA larger focus on underlying issues Flexible session inclusion to tailor to the individualFlexible session inclusion to tailor to the individual

►The current Domestic Violence Group is only The current Domestic Violence Group is only available in group formatavailable in group format Why not anger management?Why not anger management?

Needs AssessmentNeeds Assessment

► Part one of the needs Part one of the needs assessment has been assessment has been conducted through conducted through interviews with clinicians interviews with clinicians at a local CMHCat a local CMHC

► Part two included Part two included focused interviews with focused interviews with potential group potential group membersmembers

Why is group work important in Why is group work important in DV prevention?DV prevention?

►Cost-effectiveCost-effective►Seeing that others struggle with similar thingsSeeing that others struggle with similar things► Interactive learning (Role-plays, Group Process)Interactive learning (Role-plays, Group Process)►Empowering each other to make changeEmpowering each other to make change►Added stress from transitions can lead to anger Added stress from transitions can lead to anger

outburstsoutbursts►Unresolved issues often not addressed in Unresolved issues often not addressed in

current programcurrent program

What are the strengths of the What are the strengths of the community and the partnership?community and the partnership?►Local CMHC staff is available and works towards Local CMHC staff is available and works towards

cultural competency and offers culturally cultural competency and offers culturally sensitive servicessensitive services

►Word about good services gets around quickly Word about good services gets around quickly in close-knit communityin close-knit community

►Community is receptive to group workCommunity is receptive to group work

What are the needs for this type What are the needs for this type of group in the community?of group in the community?

► Five years ago, only men were coming in for anger Five years ago, only men were coming in for anger management course, now there are more women and management course, now there are more women and a wider variety of victimsa wider variety of victims

► Need to raise awareness about the serious nature of Need to raise awareness about the serious nature of the issue, it’s risks, and the importance of preventionthe issue, it’s risks, and the importance of prevention

► Women have specific issues to address with anger, DV, Women have specific issues to address with anger, DV, and crime and may also have been victimized in the and crime and may also have been victimized in the pastpast

► Cultural norms are very rigid and involve many gender-Cultural norms are very rigid and involve many gender-role issues (violence may be accepted)role issues (violence may be accepted)

What are some What are some concerns/barriers?concerns/barriers?

► Rigid belief systemsRigid belief systems► Denial in community at largeDenial in community at large► Wish to keep things privateWish to keep things private► Group work isn’t mandatedGroup work isn’t mandated

Focus Group Questions (1 0f Focus Group Questions (1 0f 2)2)

►What issues do you see as strengths and What issues do you see as strengths and challenges in your community?challenges in your community?

►How do you see anger affecting your How do you see anger affecting your community?community?

►Do you think crime rates can be reduced Do you think crime rates can be reduced through prevention programs?through prevention programs?

►How could gender and cultural considerations How could gender and cultural considerations be involved in current anger management be involved in current anger management programs?programs?

Focus Group Questions (2 0f Focus Group Questions (2 0f 2)2)

►What do you think is missing from current anger What do you think is missing from current anger management programs?management programs?

►How would your goals be different in a group How would your goals be different in a group setting?setting?

►What do you see as the benefit(s) of groups for What do you see as the benefit(s) of groups for anger management?anger management?

►How can domestic violence be prevented?How can domestic violence be prevented?►How might anger management be used to How might anger management be used to

prevent domestic violence? prevent domestic violence?

Focused Interview Responses (1 Focused Interview Responses (1 of 2)of 2)

►Major Themes:Major Themes: Culturally-specific challenges related to domestic Culturally-specific challenges related to domestic

violence.violence. Some denial of community violence.Some denial of community violence. Need to treat more than the “symptoms.”Need to treat more than the “symptoms.” Experience of local programming and personnel as Experience of local programming and personnel as

empowering.empowering.

Focused Interview Responses (2 Focused Interview Responses (2 of 2)of 2)

►Major Themes (Continued)Major Themes (Continued)► Belief in prevention as route for approaching Belief in prevention as route for approaching

domestic violence in the community.domestic violence in the community.► Raising community awareness of DV as a route Raising community awareness of DV as a route

towards prevention.towards prevention.► Group and shared experience as potentially Group and shared experience as potentially

empowering.empowering.

Program GoalsProgram Goals

► To provide a group component to enhance the current To provide a group component to enhance the current anger management program.anger management program.

► To offer culture and gender sensitive support and To offer culture and gender sensitive support and reciprocity.reciprocity.

► To address issues that are not currently focused on in To address issues that are not currently focused on in anger management programs: domestic violence, anger management programs: domestic violence, culture, gender, group practice, power.culture, gender, group practice, power.

► To educate the community on the importance of To educate the community on the importance of preventing DV in light of its connection with other preventing DV in light of its connection with other violent crimes.violent crimes.

Developing the ProgramDeveloping the Program

►Guiding tenets of Community Psychology:Guiding tenets of Community Psychology: Ecological modelEcological model PreventionPrevention Resistance of the hegemonic impositionResistance of the hegemonic imposition Community counselor as a social change agentCommunity counselor as a social change agent EmpowermentEmpowerment Circular processCircular process TransformationTransformation

Framework for the ProgramFramework for the Program

►““A A just therapyjust therapy is one that takes into account is one that takes into account the gender, cultural, social, and economic the gender, cultural, social, and economic context of the persons seeking help.”context of the persons seeking help.”33

Gendered perspectiveGendered perspective Cultural perspectiveCultural perspective Social ContextSocial Context Economic ContextEconomic Context

Domestic Violence Prevention Domestic Violence Prevention Program for Local CMHC (1 of 2)Program for Local CMHC (1 of 2)► Group will meet weekly.Group will meet weekly.► Group members all have a history of difficulty with anger management.Group members all have a history of difficulty with anger management.

► Purpose of group:Purpose of group: Can meet with other community members.Can meet with other community members.

► Life stories, anger, confusion, pain.Life stories, anger, confusion, pain. Learn to accept responsibility for their anger.Learn to accept responsibility for their anger.

►But also learn about influence of systems.But also learn about influence of systems. Learn ways of making reparation to those who have been harmed (by their Learn ways of making reparation to those who have been harmed (by their

anger).anger).► Forgiveness.Forgiveness.

Rediscovery and ReconnectionRediscovery and Reconnection► Stories, Language, Dance, etc.Stories, Language, Dance, etc.

Domestic Violence Prevention Domestic Violence Prevention Program for Local CMHC (2 of 2)Program for Local CMHC (2 of 2)► Making Purpose Reality:Making Purpose Reality:

Stories will not be told in a vacuum: reflective work.Stories will not be told in a vacuum: reflective work. Work focuses on consequences of anger and the liberation Work focuses on consequences of anger and the liberation

processes for both the ‘victim’ and ‘perpetrator’.processes for both the ‘victim’ and ‘perpetrator’. Work focuses on second order change.Work focuses on second order change. Therapists will foster a warm working relationship, but also Therapists will foster a warm working relationship, but also

be direct, challenging, and clear on the issues of oppressive be direct, challenging, and clear on the issues of oppressive anger and violence.anger and violence.

Confidentiality and safety maintained.Confidentiality and safety maintained. Cultural, gender, social, and economic equity as just Cultural, gender, social, and economic equity as just

expectations for therapy.expectations for therapy.

Reflection: Reflection: Barriers, Shortcomings, Future Barriers, Shortcomings, Future

Work Work ►Original idea for focus group came up short

Scheduled and counted as a regular session, but 0 out of 5 participants came

►Contacts with potential group members were limited Access to contact information was limited due to

confidentiality►Focus group to Group transition

Plan to implement group in future.

Discussion

► Please share your thoughts, reactions, critiques, points of interest.

►Would this type of programming be effective in your community or place of work? Please elaborate.

►What do you see as necessary aspects of DV prevention groups?

►What do you see as barriers to this type of work? For service providers? In the community?

Select ReferencesSelect References1. 1. Bailey, M.B. (2006). Improving the sentencing of domestic violence offenders in Maine: A proposal Bailey, M.B. (2006). Improving the sentencing of domestic violence offenders in Maine: A proposal

to prohibit anger management therapy. to prohibit anger management therapy. Maine Bar Journal, Maine Bar Journal, 140-149.140-149.

2. Crowe, A.H. (2004). Community corrections’ response to domestic violence: Guidelines for 2. Crowe, A.H. (2004). Community corrections’ response to domestic violence: Guidelines for practice. practice. American Probation and Parole Association, American Probation and Parole Association, 3737--39.39.

3. Dulwich Center. (1990). Justice therapy. Dulwich Center Newsletter, 1, 6-32.3. Dulwich Center. (1990). Justice therapy. Dulwich Center Newsletter, 1, 6-32.

4. Hollenhorst, P.S. (1998). What do we know about anger management programs in corrections. 4. Hollenhorst, P.S. (1998). What do we know about anger management programs in corrections. Federal Probation, Federal Probation, 62(2).62(2).

5. Quann, N. (2006). Offender profile and recidivism among domestic violence offenders in Ontario. 5. Quann, N. (2006). Offender profile and recidivism among domestic violence offenders in Ontario. Research and Statistics Division, Department of Justice, Canada.Research and Statistics Division, Department of Justice, Canada.

6. Ooms, T. (2006). A community psychologist’s perspective on domestic violence: A conversation 6. Ooms, T. (2006). A community psychologist’s perspective on domestic violence: A conversation with Julia Perilla, Ph. D. with Julia Perilla, Ph. D. Center for Law and Public Policy.Center for Law and Public Policy.

7. Perilla, J. L., Lavizzo, E., & Ibañez, G. (2006). Towards a Community Psychology of Liberation: A 7. Perilla, J. L., Lavizzo, E., & Ibañez, G. (2006). Towards a Community Psychology of Liberation: A Domestic Violence Intervention as a Tool for Social Change. In E. Aldarondo (Ed.) Promoting Domestic Violence Intervention as a Tool for Social Change. In E. Aldarondo (Ed.) Promoting Social Justice Through Mental Health Practice.Social Justice Through Mental Health Practice.