There are many studies out there making the claim that a psycho educational modality of treatment is best for DV Perpetrators. Although this Duluth model of treatment seems to be somewhat effective in many communities, it is singular in nature and attributes Domestic Violence to the male’s desire to control the female and does so by using power and control tactics. First of all, Domestic Violence is not a mental health issue rather, a behavior as the result of some underlying reason for being aggressive. It is that underlying reason for aggression that should dictate the type of treatment the perpetrator receives.
This brings to the table: How can a State dictate a treatment modality to a treatment provider when the underlying issue has not been uncovered yet? It’s quite simple actually. This psycho-educational treatment method that is known as the Duluth model, was founded over thirty years ago and with the exception of a few subtle changes along the way, it has remained as it was. Meanwhile, mental health treatments have progressed according to the many studies that support the change. Examples of this: DSM-III, IV, and V have been published since that time.
Is the system trying to fit a square peg in a round hole? Why not just call DV treatment something like, IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) educational classes instead of making it out to be some kind of treatment for a mental health issue because remember, DV is not a mental illness. On the other hand, a belief that it is okay to harm an intimate partner may be tied to some mental health issue.
