SECTION 75:25-1-2.1. Underlying Philosophy

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

(1)   battering is instrumental, strategic and purposeful behavior designed to bring about a particular outcome;

(2)   traditional therapeutic techniques are not appropriate for those who choose to batter;

(3)   battering is primarily a sociocultural issue that is criminal in nature;

(4)   battering is never justified;

(5)   battering is not caused by disease, diminished intellect, alcoholism/addiction, intoxication, mental illness or any external person or event;

(6)   batterers are solely responsible for their actions and must be held accountable for their abusive behavior;

(7)   the use of violence and coercion is a choice, decision or a tactic;

(8)   no behavior of the victim causes or excuses domestic violence;

(9)   because batterers choose to use violence, they can also choose to stop violence and eliminate coercive controlling tactics from their intimate relationships; and

(10)   safety for the victims/survivors and their dependents is the primary focus of intervention and services.

[Source: 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]