An estimated 2 million Americans are assaulted each year by an intimate partner, which often leads to lifetime trauma and disorder for victims. Rehabilitation for those who perpetrate domestic violence is an important tool in reducing this immense problem.

Correctional Counseling, Inc., offers evidence-based programming that can help perpetrators be accountable for their actions, understand why they have acted violently, and confront those tendencies in current situations. The programs are founded on a cognitive behavioral programming developed by Correctional Counseling called Moral Reconation Therapy™ (MRT). The MRT-based domestic violence materials are tailored specifically for batterers, or the perpetrators of domestic violence.

The domestic violence program is divided in 24 modules with each module completed in a group session. Clients complete homework for each module prior to coming to a session. In group each client presents his or her homework and the facilitator passes the client to the next module or has the client redo the homework based on objective criteria. All domestic violence MRT groups are open-ended, meaning that new clients can enter an ongoing group at any time. Each group session will usually have new clients as well as some finishing the program.

The Kittitas County Misdemeanant Probation Department is now facilitating a DV MRT program. Any court/probation department is welcome to refer their clients to this course with the understanding that this is not a Washington State-certified DV Batterer’s Treatment program. MRT has been designated as an “Evidence Based Practice” by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and research has shown that it is effective in reducing recidivism.¹

¹Ferguson, L. Myles, Wormith, J. Stephen. (2012). “A Meta-Analysis of Moral Reconation Therapy”, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology.

Resources

• DV MRT Contract