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Abstract: 

Batterer intervention expert Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D., gives a succinct overview of the body of empirical research exploring the effectiveness of deterrents applied by the legal system in attempts to combat men’s battering of their female partners. He notes that, since domestic violence has been criminalized, it is widely assumed that legal sanctions and treatment mandates are the best responses available for curbing battering. The literature on the success of these legal responses, however, has been decidedly mixed. Dr. Aldarondo summarizes the findings on the effectiveness of frequently employed batterer interventions, including mandatory arrest, protective orders, and court-ordered batterer intervention treatment. He goes on to make recommendations for further study and for making the most judicious and effective use of these responses.

Keywords: Court Protection Orders; Arrest as a Deterrent; Recidivism; Coordinated Community Responses

Affiliations:  1: University of Miami.