COORDINATED COMMUNITY INTERVENTION FOR DOMESTIC ABUSERS - INTERVENTION SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT AND CRIMINAL RECIDIVISM

This study examined prosecution and post-prosecution elements of a coo rdinated community intervention approach to male perpetrators of adult domestic violence. In a sample of 235 cases, recidivism was assessed from official criminal justice data during a 12- to 18-month period af ter cases were initially handled by the Baltimore, Maryland State's At torney's Domestic Violence Unit. Court orders for domestic violence co unseling were associated with significantly lower criminal recidivism for battery or violation of a civil order of protection. Lower crimina l recidivism was also associated with the cumulative effects of succes sful prosecution probation monitoring receiving a court order to couns eling, attending counseling intake, and completion of counseling, Indi viduals with greater involvement in this intervention system had lower recidivism rates, even though offenders with more extensive abuse his tories experienced more intervention. Results provide qualified suppor t for coordinated community intervention for domestic violence perpetr ators.