Section 244-RICR-00-00-2.3 - Foundation PrinciplesA. Domestic violence is a crime. The consequences for perpetrators sanctioned pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-29-5 include criminal penalties, and require participation in and completion of a certified batterers intervention program. The principles and goals at the core of programs certified by the Batterers Intervention Program Standards Oversight Committee shall include but not be limited to the following: 1. Batterers are responsible for their own behavior and must be held accountable for that behavior.2. Violent, threatening, and abusive behavior is purposeful, serving to exercise power and control over another individual.3. Abusive behavior is a choice; individuals can learn alternatives to abusive behavior and can behave non-abusively.4. Batterers intervention differs from and is not replaceable by substance abuse treatment, mental health services, family/marital/couples or other counseling.5. Becoming and remaining non-violent and non-abusive requires a sustained commitment by the abusive person.6. Those who have been victimized by an abusive person, or who could be victimized, have no legal, moral, ethical, or personal responsibility for the abuser's behavior.244 R.I. Code R. 244-RICR-00-00-2.3
Adopted effective 1/20/2019