Synopses & Reviews
Batterer programs are at a critical juncture: A handful of experimental program evaluations show little or no effect from the prevailing program approach, a finding that has prompted calls to overhaul or replace such programs. Gondolf examines batterer research in light of the push for evidence-based practice and advocates a progressive evolution of batterer intervention as it currently stands. Cautioning against the call for programs based on a new psychology, he argues that current cognitive-behavioral approaches are appropriate for most cases, with the addition of ongoing risk management for severely violent men. Overall, he promotes a broader picture of batterer intervention and advocates better implementation of the basic principles established in the criminal justice field.