Section 244-RICR-00-00-2.2 - PurposeA. These comprehensive program standards are established for the purpose of guiding the design and monitoring of a batterers intervention program, as referenced in law. The standards are intended to enable individuals and agencies to become familiar with the requirements for being certified as a batterers intervention program; and to enable the duly constituted Oversight Committee to identify, certify, and monitor programs that provide services to court mandated batterers. Effective and ethical services promote the accountability of perpetrators; teach and support perpetrators in learning non-abusive behavior; make every feasible effort to stop perpetrators from committing further abuse; and are committed to participating in a system that furthers the safety of, and accountability to, victims of domestic abuse.B. The Oversight Committee seeks to exercise its authority in a responsible and responsive manner, providing reasonable assistance to programs that apply for certification and striving for a cooperative relationship with batterers intervention programs. Each of the standards is considered to be important and necessary, but they are the means toward achieving offender accountability, not an end in themselves. The Committee recognizes that effective programming requires some degree of flexibility to address unusual or unforeseen circumstances. An occasional, reasonable exception to a specific standard for cause is not necessarily inconsistent with faithful adherence to the principles underlying the standards.C. All service providers involved with domestic violence perpetrators or victims, whether the services are directly related to domestic violence or incidental to it, and whether or not criminal charges have been filed, are strongly urged to become aware of the relevant issues, principles, dynamics, and ancillary services in recognition of the specialized nature of intervention for domestic abuse.244 R.I. Code R. 244-RICR-00-00-2.2
Adopted effective 1/20/2019