What Works to Reduce Recidivism by Domestic Violence Offenders?

If your agency is thinking of using the Duluth model you need to read this report. It explains why the Duluth model for domestic violence (DV) treatment does not reduce DV recidivism. Group treatment of DV offenders with the Duluth model and four other models (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relationship enhancement, substance abuse treatment, and group couples counseling) were evaluated. “Based on six rigorous outcome evaluations of group-based DV treatment for male offenders, we conclude that the Duluth model, the most common treatment approach, appears to have no effect on recidivism ... There may be other group-based treatments for male DV offenders that effectively reduce DV recidivism ... Unfortunately, these interventions are so varied in their approaches that we cannot identify a particular group-based treatment approach to replace the Duluth-like model required by Washington State law” (p. 12).