Thanks to the Battered Women’s Movement of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Domestic Violence is far better known than Anger Management. In fact, many providers and Judges do not understand the differences between Anger Management and Batterers’ Intervention.
Beginning in the late 1970s, legislation regarding domestic violence was passed in a number of states. This legislation defined domestic violence and mandated shelter programs for victims, research funding as well as arrest, prosecution and batterers’ intervention for perpetrators of domestic violence.
In 1994, the U.S. Congress passed the Violence Against Women’s Act that is often referred to as the Biden Bill.
In California, Penal Code 1203.097 and 098 defines “domestic violence” as violence that occurs in an intimate relation. The law provides funding for services to victims of domestic violence as well as children. In addition, mandated “batterers intervention” is required of all perpetrators of domestic violence.
Penal Code:1203.098 lists the required training and experience for all Certified Batterers’ Intervention Facilitators in California. Each facilitator must complete 40- Hours of Batterers’ Intervention Facilitator Certification plus 16 hours of Continuing Education each year.
In contrast, neither the federal government nor any state or local government has passed legislation regulating the practice of Anger Management. One unintended consequence of this failure is the lack of research on anger management.
Recently, the California Superior Courts accepted the definition of anger management as a class that teaches skill enhancement in anger management, stress management, communication and empathy. Persons or organizations that wish to receive court mandated anger management referrals must be Certified Anger Management Facilitators with 40-hours of training in anger management and must use a Pre and Post Test as well as client workbooks. Pending legislation regulating the practice of anger management, the courts have decided that the requirements for providers should be comparable to Certified Batterers’ Intervention Facilitators.
Anderson & Anderson, APC provides Certification for Anger Management Facilitators as well as Batterer’s Intervention Facilitators that are accepted by courts throughout the nation.
Anger Management ala George Anderson 