The death two weeks ago of Susanna Braden near Wasilla, allegedly at the hands of her male companion, Andrew Thomas of North Pole, will be recorded as a domestic violence-related homicide. According to public records, Thomas had been arrested on six previous occasions for assault, at least twice with Braden as the victim. Thomas had served time in jail, been ordered to treatment for substance abuse and for domestic violence. At various times, Thomas had been directed to have no contact with his victims and abstain from alcohol, and Braden had been offered protective orders.
In this case, the approaches developed during the past 30 years to end the cycle of violence were implemented — arrest, jail, treatment and protective orders; however, a woman is dead.
In May, Gov. Parnell signed legislation that should lead to more time in jail for domestic violence perpetrators and more protection for victims. These new laws address the problem of domestic violence during the small period of time when perpetrators are in court. It is unclear whether the new laws would have helped Braden.
What is clear is that we need more tools to address what happens to perpetrators of domestic violence after they leave court. Three things we can do right now are create a misdemeanor probation system, craft innovative treatments for perpetrators and bring together the different systems working with victims and perpetrators:
• Most domestic violence arrests are for misdemeanor crimes. The perpetrators, like Thomas, are sentenced to unsupervised probation. Unsupervised probation is nothing more than a piece of paper with a set of conditions established by a judge. It also is called informal court probation. Unlike other forms of probation, there is no single individual such as a probation officer responsible for monitoring the behavior of the perpetrator. If the perpetrator violates the conditions of informal probation, the whole criminal justice system from police to prosecutors to the court have to proceed as any other criminal offense. If any piece of the criminal justice system doesn’t take action, there are no consequences.
For the victim of domestic violence, informal probation is protection by a piece of paper. We all know a piece of paper will not stop a bullet, a knife, a fist or a shouted word.
There is good research showing that if a perpetrator is afraid of the criminal sanctions, such as jail time, he will obey court orders. The research also shows that perpetrators with criminal histories have little adherence to paper orders. These perpetrators have learned that paper orders are simply a get-out-of-jail-free card. All the procedures can be followed and yet there is no real protection or change in the underlying problem. What we need in Alaska is a real, active and consequential misdemeanor probation system for repeat perpetrators of domestic violence.
• Thomas, like hundreds of other domestic violence perpetrators, was ordered to attend a batterer intervention program. Under state law, perpetrators can only be ordered to attend BIPs that meet standards established by the Department of Corrections.
Rather than follow standard practice in the helping professions, where treatment is based upon careful assessment and diagnosis, Alaska’s BIP standards prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach for men who batter. BIPs in Alaska must offer at least 24 weeks of group counseling. It doesn’t matter whether a perpetrator is a good candidate for group counseling; he must attend a group. BIPs in Alaska must use confrontation as an educational tool. It doesn’t matter that research suggests confrontation is of limited effectiveness as a tool to promote change. BIPs in Alaska cannot even suggest the use of mediation or couples counseling, even if that is what the victim desires.
What we need for batterer intervention treatments are different types of intervention for different types of perpetrators. While some men can benefit from the current BIPs, other perpetrators need additional types of help.
• Victims and perpetrators of domestic violence are found in the behavioral health system, the child welfare system, the public assistance system, the health care system and every other system. However each of these systems works independently with little recognition that they are dealing with the same families. We need to promote collaboration between these systems so that they work together to address domestic violence.
Only by thinking creatively, evaluating what we do, and working collaboratively will be truly be able to end the cycle of domestic violence.
Randy Magen is a professor in the school of social work at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
While I appreciate your post, I think you're part of the problem. On one hand, you say: "There is no excuse for a man taking advantage of his superior strength" and yet on the other, talk about how victims dress and behave and drink...this appear to place the blame on victims.
I've known professional women and women of faith who were routinely emotionally and physically abused. None of these women "fit" your profile.
A woman who chooses to have a drink with a man at a bar has no way of knowing he's abusive. OTOH, she can certainly look him up on court view before she goes out on that first date with him. http://www.courtrecords.alaska.gov/pa/pa.urd/pamw6500.display
Battering is not a matter of respect. It is about one person's using violence or the threat of violence to control another person. 30 years ago, women were abused...they just didn't report as much. It wasn't until the 80s that it was illegal to sexually assault one's wife.
I firmly believe what when a man hits a woman, he gives up his right to be called a man. There is no excuse for a man taking advantage of his superior strength and the differences in temperament between men and woman to bully or injure a woman.
On the other hand, there are things a woman can do to lessen her exposure to abuse. Often a woman's foolish choice make her vulnerable to an abusive man. A woman who chooses to drink with a stranger, or with a man who has been violent in the past, is a good example. That's almost like volunteering to be abused.
I think many women have simply lost the respect of men because of the way they conduct themselves. And, for many small-minded men, lumping all women together as not deserving respect is the result.
Thirty years ago, if a woman dressed provocatively, men would say she was "asking for it." Not asking for abuse, but asking for a sexual encounter, which in some cases would result in rape.
Thirty years ago, the vast majority of women would have been considered ladies. Women in general conducted themselves in a respectable manner, and in turn were treated with respect.
The majority of today's women have no self-respect. They dress provocatively, drink alcohol and use drugs, and are sexually promiscuous. This behavior even extends to young girls in many cases.
When a woman does not conduct herself in a respectable manner, how can she expect to be treated with respect?
This does not lessen the fact that the guilt and the blame lies with the perpetrator. But why aid and abet a criminal by making stupid choices?
Abuse of women has become an epidemic. Just read the police reports.
Something has to change.
When either of those violations occur they should be back in jail to serve their suspended sentence. However, the opposite occurs. Their probation and time allowed to complete the BIP is extended.
There are some VERY dangerous, cowardly perpetrators out there. Our DA's office, by refusing to prosecute to the fullest and follow up and hold accountable the perps, on conditions of probation, are allowing them to continue to reoffend and re-violate those they supposedly love!!
The message being sent to victims is that they don't matter!! And then we wonder why domestic violence victims are afraid to report their batterers to the authorities.
The writer advocates for something I've long supported, which is misdemeanor probation for domestic violence perpetrators.
The evidence is clear in the few states which use it that it can be an effective tool in the arsenal needed to bring down DV rates. It is not a magic bullet.
As with all problems of this nature, the more individualized treatments and intense supervision come with a hefty price tag. Some argue that we just pay the price later if we don't invest up front. Medical costs for victims; social costs for children who are abused or neglected in violent homes.. the list is very long.
But, it's still a hard sell, especially in tough economic times.
Large systems function more efficiently with one-size-fits-all, but obviously that is no more realistic with people than it is with cars or clothing.
Domestic violence is one of Alaska's worst public health problems, along with sexual abuse and child maltreatment. The governor has put an initiative in place to bring the rates down. Hopefully, that will include expanding the options on the table for dealing with perpetrators.