Ensuring the safety of victims of domestic violence requires a change in the behavior of those who commit the crime (batterers). Unfortunately, existing batterer intervention programs are ineffective, at best, and not based upon empirical evidence. In partnership with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, the Allegheny County Jail and the District Attorney’s office, DHS conducted a review of local programs and best practices, and identified criteria to improve program quality, consistency and fidelity. Based upon these criteria, an RFP was issued for implementation of batterer intervention programs in the community and the Allegheny County Jail. Implementation is currently underway.
