The Effect of Perceptions of Sanctions on Batterer Program Outcomes

Abstract

A persistent theme in intervening with male batterers is the deterrent effect of certain and severe sanctions. However, no studies address the effect of “specific” deterrence on batterer program outcomes. Fifteen-month follow-up data from a multisite evaluation of batterer programs was used to test the effect of batterer perceptions of the likelihood of jailing on dropout and reassault. Approximately half of the batterers perceived jailing as likely to result from program dropout or reassault. Batterers from programs with a court review process for program compliance and/or higher arrest rates for reassault were more likely to perceive jail as likely. The results also support the “experiential effect” of prior contact with the criminal justice system and alcohol treatment. However, neither perceived certainty of sanctions (jailing likely) nor perceived severity of sanctions was predictive of dropout and reassault. Increasing perceptions of criminal justice sanctions alone may not prevent batterers from reassault.