Batterer Intervention Programs

Certified batterer intervention programs work with batterers to hold them accountable for their abuse and to help them change their behavior.

Certified batterer intervention programs (BIPs) currently operate in every county of Massachusetts.   BIPs work to increase the safety of all domestic violence victims.  BIPs provide educational groups for batterers to stop their abusive behavior. Batterers are taught about the damaging effects of abuse on victims and children.   BIPs also teach batterers to use respectful and non-abusive behaviors with their intimate partners and their children. 

Certified batterer intervention programs are not the same as anger management programs.  Only certified batterer intervention programs focus entirely on domestic violence and intimate partner abuse. 

The Batterer Intervention Program Services unit of the Department of Public Health certifies and monitors certified batterer intervention programs.  

Here is a list of certified batterer intervention programs in Massachusetts.   The list has links to each program's website. 

Judges can refer or order batterers to attend BIPs. 

• When a judge issues a restraining order, he or she can "recommend to the defendant" to attend a certified batterer intervention program.

• When a defendant has violated a restraining order, the judge can order the defendant to participate in a certified batterer intervention program.

• When a Probate and Family Court orders visitation for an abusive parent, the court can "order the abusive parent to attend and complete, to the satisfaction of the court, a certified batterer's treatment program as a condition of visitation."