ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how to develop and implement therapy groups for children and non-offending parents who have been exposed to batterers. To begin, we would like to address some terminology. “Domestic violence” is a term with which many clinicians struggle. We define domestic violence as the use of an escalating pattern of power and control to manipulate an intimate partner. Behaviors that are present include verbal abuse, physical assault, sexual assault, withholding resources (e.g., money, car, keys, phone), isolation, and rigid rules. Another term describing domestic violence that is gaining popularity among professionals is “intimate partner violence” (IPV). We have chosen, at this point, to continue to use the term “domestic violence,” as this is what is most familiar among our clients and colleagues.
