Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Cautions about applying neuroscience to batterer intervention
Other Titles:	Juvenile and family justice today : a publication of the National Council [cut]
Authors:	Gondolf, Edward W
Keywords:	Mental health;Perpetrators
Year:	2006
Publisher:	National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Citation:	16 (1), Winter 2006
Notes:	General overview: Some researchers are proposing that at least a third of domestic violence perpetrators suffer from “intermittent explosive disorder” (IED), a brain disorder requiring medical treatment. Gondolf argues that the neuroscience underlying this diagnosis is insufficient to justify altering the treatment of batterers and that they should be referred to batterer programs following cognitive-behavioural approaches, requiring men to take responsibility for their behaviour. Discussion: Gondolf acknowledges that research has established associations between certain brain activity and behaviour. Individuals who have poorly developed brain function in the areas of moral reasoning and judgment may be more likely to have violent outbursts. However neuroscience is not yet capable of telling us whether a particular individual is best treated with medication, incarcerated, or required to attend batterer education programs. Studies of batterers have found little evidence of IED, with less than 10% of 864 batterers having symptoms of impulsive, post-traumatic stress or borderline disorders. Further, studies of women’s descriptions of violent incidents produced few cases where the incident could be characterised as an explosion of rage. Perpetrators of violence rarely comply with court orders to seek psychiatric evaluation and psychiatric clinics are usually unwilling to supervise compliance. In contrast, batterer programs provide case supervision and produce higher compliance rates, although the system has failed to restrain repeat offenders and the most violent offenders. Batterer programs, reinforced by supervision and sanctions, have been the most effective interventions attempted to date. The courts should continue to refer men to these programs.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13720
ISSN:	10622926
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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