This control through coercion works for awhile, but ultimately breaks down when domestic violence charges are filed. They're right when they say violence can be unlearned, but the unlearning will not be done quickly nor will it be easy to do. The amount of therapy necessary to undo this degree of psychological damage will take a lot of time and money. Most batterers have the time, but few have the money. The counseling intervention programs now provided by courts and corrections are typically 10 to 16 weeks long.
Research suggests that two years is more realistic.
As for giving them a taste of their own medicine, they already had plenty of that when they were children in a violent home. Many domestic violence batterers could become caring human beings if we could have enough compassion for them to spend money to help. Clearly therapy won't help all batterers, but for those who are educable, jail will make things worse where there is a chance to make things better. All Rights Reserved.