s focus on treating the victims of domestic violence, rather than treating the batterer, this is due to the social acceptance of the victimization of women. There is occasionally over diagnosis of the victims of abuse because of poor understanding of emotional and psychological effects of the cycle of violence, the is belief that violence is innate therefore untreatable(Nicolette & Nuovo, Pg 1). The programs specifically designed for batterers are increasing in number. Several states in the U.S. have now instituted certification standards for batterer-treatment programs, designed to help the batterer break the cycle of violence, but never excuse their abusive behaviour(Nicolette & Nuovo, Pg 1). Effective programs use a group approach, last at least 24 weeks, provide a psycho-education approach rather than one involving psycho therapy, avoid couples' counseling and have consistent procedures for assessing danger and protecting victims(Nicolette & Nuovo, Pg 1). The batterer may benefit from direct interaction with a physician discussing the physical and psychological risks a batterer faces outside th obvious risk to the abused partner and the long term risks to any children involved in the cycle of violence(Nicolette & Nuovo, Pg 2). The batterer should also be alert to any of the less obvious repercussions, potential loss of freedom from incarceration and the financial costs to the family if legal fees and court costs are entailed. Twelve national experts suggested that society should treat violence as a public healht issue, reach kids as early as possible and train them to get along with people in nonviolent ways, teach conflict resolution to everyone, ban corporal punisment, promote responsible childrens television programming, invest money and programs in communities at risk for violence and find the few habitual, violent offenders who are responsible for most of the violence and separate them from the general public(Birckm...
