The philosophy underlying the standards and criteria for batterers intervention programs is that:

1. (1) battering is instrumental, strategic and purposeful behavior designed to bring about a particular outcome;
2. (2) traditional therapeutic techniques are not appropriate for those who choose to batter;
3. (3) battering is primarily a sociocultural issue that is criminal in nature;
4. (4) battering is never justified;
5. (5) battering is not caused by disease, diminished intellect, alcoholism/addiction, intoxication, mental illness or any external person or event;
6. (6) clients are solely responsible for their actions and must be held accountable for their abusive behavior;
7. (7) the use of violence and coercion is a choice, decision or a tactic;
8. (8) no behavior of the victim causes or excuses domestic violence;
9. (9) because clients choose to use violence, they can also choose to stop violence and eliminate coercive controlling tactics from their intimate relationships; and
10. (10) safety for the victims/survivors and their dependents is the primary focus of intervention and services.

Added at 29 Ok Reg 1770, eff 8-11-12

Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1219, eff 9-11-16

Amended at 35 Ok Reg 871, eff 9-14-18

Amended at 43 Ok Reg, Number 18, effective 6-11-26