Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0490 - Domestic Violence Coordination Council
Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0490 is dedicated to the Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council (DVSCC). This title primarily contains the rules and regulations for Batterer's Intervention Programs (BIPs) in Tennessee.
The Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council (DVSCC) was established to improve the response of the criminal justice system to domestic violence. It plays a crucial role in increasing awareness and understanding of domestic violence and its consequences, with the ultimate goal of reducing its incidence in Tennessee. The Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence provides administrative and fiscal support to the DVSCC.
Here's a breakdown of the key areas covered in Chapter 0490-01, "Rules for Batterer's Intervention Programs":
§ 0490-01-.01 - PURPOSES: States the overall goals of the rules, which are to provide minimum standards, certification, and monitoring criteria for batterers intervention programs that wish to identify themselves as "certified batterers intervention programs." The aim is to ensure victim safety and batterer accountability.
§ 0490-01-.02 - NATURE OF BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: Defines what a batterer's intervention program is, emphasizing it as a "time-limited, structured, educational group activity" designed to make batterers accept responsibility for their actions and learn non-violent behaviors. It also distinguishes BIPs from other forms of counseling (e.g., substance abuse counseling, anger management as a sole approach, or couples/family therapy that could compromise victim safety).
§ 0490-01-.03 - ETHICAL STANDARDS: Lays out the ethical guidelines that certified BIPs and their personnel must adhere to. This includes:
Protecting victim safety as the paramount concern.
Maintaining confidentiality of victim information (with exceptions for mandated reporting and imminent danger).
Establishing clear communication channels with the criminal justice system and victim advocates.
Promoting batterer accountability.
Prohibiting victim blaming.
§ 0490-01-.04 - ACCOUNTABILITY: Emphasizes that certified programs must hold batterers accountable for their actions and understand the negative consequences of their violence.
§ 0490-01-.05 - PROGRAM STRUCTURE: Details the structural requirements for certified BIPs, such as:
Minimum duration and number of sessions (e.g., often a minimum of 24 weeks).
Group size limitations.
Requirement for written policies and procedures.
Provisions for screening participants and maintaining records.
§ 0490-01-.06 - CURRICULUM: Outlines the mandatory elements of a certified BIP curriculum. It must:
Educate batterers about the dynamics of domestic abuse, including power and control tactics.
Address cognitive, emotional, and physical cues preceding violence.
Teach non-violent alternatives and responsibility plans.
Incorporate cultural aspects of domestic abuse.
Prohibit approaches that compromise victim safety (e.g., victim-blaming, couples therapy).
§ 0490-01-.07 - PERSONNEL AND TRAINING STANDARDS: Sets qualifications, training, and supervision requirements for BIP staff and instructors, including:
Prohibition against engaging in domestic abuse themselves.
Required credentials and documentation of expertise.
Mandatory annual training hours (e.g., 40 hours within the first year of certification for programs, and ongoing annual training).
Requirements for supervision and consultation with victim advocates.
§ 0490-01-.08 - CERTIFICATION AND MONITORING OF BATTERERS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: Details the process for programs to apply for and maintain certification, including:
Application requirements and documentation.
Review and approval/denial process by the DVSCC.
Procedures for re-certification.
The DVSCC's authority to monitor certified programs through scheduled or unannounced on-site visits and investigations, considering effectiveness in victim safety and batterer recidivism.
§ 0490-01-.09 - RULES OF PROCEDURE: Establishes the administrative procedures for the DVSCC, including rules for reconsideration and appeal if certification is denied or revoked.
In essence, Title 0490 provides the crucial regulatory framework through which the Domestic Violence State Coordinating Council works to ensure that programs designed to intervene with perpetrators of domestic violence are held to high standards, promoting accountability for abusers and, most importantly, enhancing the safety and well-being of victims in Tennessee.
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