About the WV Abuse Intervention Program (AIP)
Purpose & Philosophy
The purpose of the Abuse Intervention Program (formerly known as the Batterer Intervention & Prevention Program) is to reduce the frequency and severity of domestic violence (DV) in the communities that the program serves. Organizations offering the AIP work in collaboration with local Domestic Violence programs to provide the communities served with the most comprehensive range of appropriate services.
The AIP is offered by a variety of entities that are licensed by the West Virginia Family Protection Services Board (FPSB). They cooperate with the legal system to address the problem of DV in the most consistent and appropriate manner possible. The AIP’s highest priorities are assisting local DV programs in maintaining victim safety, and assisting the legal system to hold perpetrators appropriately accountable for their abusive behavior.
AIP (BIPP) Core Beliefs
- Domestic Violence is a serious crime against both the victim and the entire family system.
- DV perpetrators will usually continue to engage in a pattern of abusive/controlling behavior until society (not merely the victim or family) holds them accountable for this behavior.
- Battering is a behavior that perpetrators have learned; it is NOT the result of heredity, addiction, or any unalterable medical, psychological, or personality condition.
- Accountability for abusive behavior is neither eliminated nor minimized by alcohol/other drug problems, mental illness, or by behavior on the part of the victim that the abuser perceives as inflammatory.
- Abusive behavior which is learned can be “unlearned,” or replaced with behavior that is more appropriate, respectful, and empathic.
- The potential for arrest and incarceration are the consequences that most DV perpetrators are most eager to avoid.
- Perpetrators of domestic violence that do not involve physical violence (e.g. Stalking, Telephone Harassment and other crimes) generally hold the same beliefs and motives as perpetrators of physical violence.
- Perpetrator intervention programs are the most effective services that are available in order to provide offenders with the assistance they need in accepting appropriate levels of responsibility for their behavior and developing appropriate alternatives to abusive/controlling behavior the essential components of healthy intimate (and/or other domestic) relationships.
- Until the perpetrator has successfully completed a perpetrator intervention program that is conducted in accordance with FPSB guidelines, other forms of treatment that purport to address the abusive behavior itself (particularly any treatment that require involvement from the victim/other family) are NOT appropriate, and can actually increase the potential danger to the victim(s).
The Nature of the Program
The West Virginia AIP is a 32-week program, with one group session per week and each session lasting for 90-120 minutes. AIP in WV are offered by organizations licensed to do so in accordance with all applicable WV Family Protection Service Board (FPSB) guidelines.
Get Help Today
If you are currently experiencing abuse, an advocate is available to assist you with options and a safety plan at your local DV program or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233.
You are not alone, and we are here to help.
Important Note
West Virginia Code § 62-11-22 maintains that a perpetrator of domestic violence is ineligible for pretrial diversion until appropriate guidelines for such programs are developed and approved by the Community Corrections Subcommittee of the Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction. The WV Family Protection Services Board adheres to the requirements of said statute in the licensure of WV Batterer Intervention Prevention Programs.
