Domestic Violence & Batterer Intervention Class Outline

Our comprehensive online domestic violence and batterer intervention course is designed to help students recognize abusive behaviors, understand the effects of domestic violence and develop healthier ways to respond to anger, stress and conflict. The curriculum was created by licensed and experienced professionals and incorporates educational strategies informed by cognitive-behavioral approaches.

The course examines physical, emotional, psychological, verbal, sexual and economic abuse, along with power and control dynamics, accountability, personal responsibility and the cycle of violence. Students also learn about anger triggers, distorted thinking, emotional intelligence, communication, empathy, conflict resolution and practical skills for preventing abusive behavior.

The outline below provides a sample of the chapters and topics included in our domestic violence, BIP and BIPP programs. Course content varies by class length, with longer classes offering greater depth, additional examples and more opportunities to reinforce the material.

Domestic Violence and Batterer Intervention Course Outline

Chapter 1: Introduction and Course Information

1. Introduction
2. Testing and Grading
3. Other Course Information
4. Course Policies

Chapter 2: Defining Domestic Abuse

1. Defining Domestic Abuse
2. What Is Domestic Violence?
3. Who Can Become a Victim of Domestic Violence?
4. Signs of Abuse
5. Hidden Signs of Abuse
6. Risk Factors for Domestic Abuse
7. What Traits Do Abusers Have in Common?
8. Abuse in LGBTQ Relationships
9. Kinds of Abuse
10. Physical Abuse
11. Physical Abuse of the Elderly and Youth
12. Emotional and Psychological Abuse
13. Are You an Emotional Abuser?
14. Verbal Abuse
15. Sexual Abuse
16. Economic Abuse

Chapter 3: Effects of Domestic Violence

1. Effects of Violence
2. Different Effects of Domestic Violence
3. Impact of Emotional Abuse
4. Impact of Verbal Abuse
5. Why Do Victims Stay With Abusers?
6. Effects of Family Violence on Children
7. Batterer Empathy

Chapter 4: The Cycle of Violence

1. Cycle of Violence
2. Understand the Cycle of Violence
3. Breaking the Cycle
4. Cycle of Violence: The Warning Signs
5. Speak Up!

Chapter 5: Causes, Accountability and Personal Responsibility

1. Causes of Domestic Abuse
2. Causes and Sources of Domestic Abuse
3. 10 Main Causes of Domestic Abuse in Relationships
4. 10 Main Causes of Domestic Abuse in Relationships (Continued)
5. Accountability and Personal Responsibility
6. Poor Impulse Control
7. Power and Control Dynamics
8. Accountability: An Absolute Must
9. A Deeper Look Into Anger
10. Expressing Anger
11. The Most Common Kinds of Anger
12. The Upside of Anger

Chapter 6: Understanding Your Anger

1. Understanding Your Anger
2. What Does Your Anger Look Like?
3. Assessing Your Anger
4. Emotions and Anger
5. Anger Triggers
6. Let's Get Personal

Chapter 7: The Personal Cost of Anger

1. Anger Pays a Price
2. An Angry Person
3. Anger and Your Health
4. Anger's Effect on Relationships
5. Anger in Professional Relationships
6. Handling an Angry Person
7. The Pitbull Principle
8. The Dangers of Hostile/Reactive Anger

Chapter 8: Stress, Thinking Patterns and Abusive Behavior

1. Stress and Anger
2. What Is Stress?
3. Internal and External Stressors
4. Signs of Stress
5. How Stressed Are You?
6. Positive and Negative Aspects of Stress
7. Stress Increases Your Risk for Anger Problems
8. Provocative Emotional States
9. Stress and Substance Abuse
10. Stress and Depression
11. Errors in Thinking
12. Effects of Distorted Thinking on Emotions and Abusive Behaviors
13. Negative Thought Patterns
14. Managing Thought Patterns
15. Stress Relief Through Relaxation

Chapter 9: Anger and Depression

1. Anger and Depression
2. Anger-Related Depression or Depression-Related Anger
3. Depression: A Closer Look
4. Male and Female Depression
5. Depression in Teenagers
6. Anger and Long-Term Problems With Depression

Chapter 10: Alcohol, Drugs and Anger

1. Alcohol, Drugs and Anger – A Dangerous Combination
2. Substance Abuse Fuels Anger
3. Don't Blame Anger on Substance Abuse
4. Can You Treat Both Anger and Substance Abuse?
5. Anger Management Treatment Should Not Be an Afterthought

Chapter 11: The Legal Process of Domestic Violence

1. Legal Process of Domestic Violence
2. Arrest
3. Initial Appearance
4. Arraignment
5. Pre-Trial and Plea Negotiation
6. Trial
7. Sentencing

Chapter 12: Gaining Control of Your Anger

1. Gaining Control of Your Anger
2. How Good Is Your Anger Management?
3. Manage Your Anger Constructively: The Art of Self-Control
4. Understanding What Causes Your Anger
5. Reduce Your Angry Reactions: A Lesson in Self-Control
6. Personal Choice
7. Use Problem-Solving Skills
8. Improve Your Communication Skills
9. Control Your Anger When You Experience It
10. Let Go of Resentment

Chapter 13: Communication, Empathy and Conflict Resolution

1. Communication Is the Key
2. Communication Skills and Styles
3. Responses to Conflict
4. Managing Criticism
5. Anger Reducers
6. Two Conflicting Relationship Needs
7. Needs and Stages of Relationships
8. Developing Skills to Build Healthy Relationships
9. Effective Communication
10. Listening With Empathy
11. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Chapter 14: Role Models and Anger

1. Role Models Teach Us How to Express Anger
2. Healthy Role Models
3. Less Than Optimal Role Models
4. The Upside of Positive Role Models
5. Teaching Character

Chapter 15: Emotional Intelligence

1. Emotional Intelligence
2. What Is Emotional Intelligence?
3. The Significance of EQ
4. Skills of Emotional Intelligence
5. Understanding Yourself Better
6. Recognizing Patterns of Anger
7. The Four Skills of Emotional Intelligence

Chapter 16: Conflict Resolution and Self-Control

1. Finally Getting Control of Your Anger
2. STOP Before You React
3. Resolving Conflict
4. Stages of Healthy Conflict Resolution

Chapter 17: Applying Emotional Intelligence

1. Applying Emotional Intelligence to Curb Anger
2. Let's Review
3. Observing Your Thoughts
4. What Are Your Core Beliefs?
5. Increase Self-Awareness
6. Make Better Decisions
7. Incorporating Emotional Intelligence Skills Into Daily Life
8. Skill 1: Reduce Stress
9. Skill 2: Emotional Awareness
10. Skill 3: Nonverbal Communication
11. Skill 4: Humor and a Good Attitude
12. Skill 5: Resolve Conflict Positively

After completing the course material, you will take a final exam to demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered.