"Local effort places responsibility squarely on offenders’ shoulders....
"The Batterers Intervention Program focuses the responsibility directly on the offenders, who generally are referred through the court system or Lucas County Children Services. It lasts for 26 weeks and the participants are required to pay to participate, which is proved to have therapeutic value because “anything that’s free, you don’t value,” Ms. Smith said....
"The program is psychoeducational, which means the men, who often are on probation, are taught the consequences of their behavior, given new communication and coping techniques, and required to be accountable for their actions. It meets in a group setting of about 12 to 15 men, and Ms. Smith and a male co-facilitator coordinate the sessions....
"Judge Wagner said a domestic violence court would provide another component in addressing offenders while keeping the focus on helping victims. The proposal, which also is supported by Judge Amy Berling and is still in the idea stage, would create a docket that exclusively handles domestic violence cases...."
http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/04/07/Domestic-violence-program-focuses-on-abusers-not-victims.html
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