05/29/2026
CVR is pleased to share a newly published study in the Journal of Experimental Criminology examining a hybrid treatment approach that integrates a traditional batterer intervention program (BIP) with a restorative justice component — Circles of Peace — for domestic violence crimes in cases of intimate partner violence.
The randomized controlled trial, authored by CVR's Dr. Briana Barocas and colleagues (Dr. Rei Shimizu, Dr. Sejung Yang, and Dr. Eleanor Neyroud), enrolled 274 court-mandated offenders in Utah and compared a standard 16-week BIP with a combined approach pairing 12 weeks of BIP with four weeks of Circles of Peace. Those in the combined group showed statistically significant reductions in both the number of new offenses and the severity of those offenses — suggesting that integrating restorative justice into standard treatment can strengthen accountability and reduce recidivism.
This study adds to a growing body of rigorous empirical work — including multiple randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, and large-scale evaluations led by CVR — advancing the evidence base on restorative justice and domestic violence.
As that evidence base grows, so too does the importance of careful attention to implementation, safety, and context in restorative justice practice.
CVR is grateful to contribute to this body of knowledge and to deepening our collective understanding of accountability, healing, and justice in the domestic violence field.
Objectives This study examined a hybrid treatment approach that integrates a traditional batterer intervention program (BIP) with a restorative justice (RJ) component, Circles of Peace (CP), to address domestic violence (DV) crimes in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods In Utah, 274 of...
