What Is a Batterers Intervention Program? A Plain-English Guide for People Who Just Got Ordered to Take One
What Is a Batterers Intervention Program? A Plain-English Guide for People Who Just Got Ordered to Take One
A batterers intervention program (often called a BIP or BIPP) is a court-ordered class for people charged with a domestic violence offense. It is an education program, not a punishment and not therapy. Most court orders call for 26 or 52 weekly classes. Each class teaches how abusive behavior starts, how power and control work in a relationship, and how to make different choices. You finish with a certificate you give to the court or your probation officer.
⚡ QUICK SUMMARY
A batterer intervention program is a weekly class ordered by a court after a domestic violence charge. The court sets the number of classes, usually 26 or 52. Classes cover abusive behavior, power and control, accountability, and safer choices. You get a Certificate of Completion at the end. Online programs cost about $21 per class; in-person groups often charge $25 to $50 per session plus an intake fee. Always confirm with your probation officer or the court that the program you pick will be accepted.
If a judge just told you to complete a batterers intervention program, you probably have two questions. What is it? And how do I get it done without losing my job or my privacy? This guide answers both in plain English.
Transformations BIP LLC offers an online domestic violence class you can take from home. The classes are open 24 hours a day in 48 states, and each one is short, practical, and built to fit around work and family. See how the program works or keep reading to learn what a BIP is and what to expect.
What Is a Batterers Intervention Program?
A batterers intervention program is an education program for individuals who have used violence, threats, or control against a partner or family member. Batterer intervention programs focus on victim safety, accountability, and healthier relationships. Courts order it as a condition of probation. The word "batterer" comes from the legal term battery. It does not mean you are a bad person forever. It means the court wants you to learn and change.
Batterer intervention programs go by many names. Your paperwork might say domestic violence class, family violence class, domestic abuse class, BIP, BIPP, or partner abuse intervention. In most states these are the same kind of program. The name changes by state and county, but the goal is the same: stop future violence and keep families safe.
The same class, many names: Domestic Violence Class, Domestic Abuse Class, Family Violence Class, Batterers Intervention Program (BIP or BIPP), Domestic Assault Class, Domestic Battery Class, DV Class. Check your court order for the exact number of classes you need.
What Is Included in a Batterer Intervention Program?
A batterer intervention program covers the same core topics almost everywhere: what abuse is, why people use it, how it affects victims and children, and how to choose different behavior. Programs are built on education and accountability, not on blame.
Topics most programs cover
Types of abuse - Physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. Many people learn that behavior they thought was "normal" counts as abuse.
Power and control - How abusive behavior is used to control a partner. This is the heart of every BIP, and the biggest difference from an anger class.
The impact on others - How violence in the home affects partners, children, and the whole family, even when children are not in the room.
Accountability - Owning what happened without excuses, minimizing, or blaming the other person.
Safer choices - Time-outs, communication skills, and ways to handle conflict without threats or control.
Making a plan - What to do the next time a situation feels like it is heading somewhere bad.
At Transformations BIP, each class has three parts: a short video, a reading, and a quiz that asks you to apply the lesson to your own life. There are no long lectures and no live group meetings. Most people complete one class per week, at their own pace, day or night.
Who Takes a Batterer Intervention Program, and How Does It Start?
Participants are individuals who have been charged with or convicted of a domestic violence offense against a partner or family member. Most are referred by a judge or probation officer as a term of probation. Some join after a referral from an attorney, and a few individuals choose to enroll on their own to change their behavior before a court makes them.
Most programs start with an intake. In-person providers hold an intake meeting, collect a fee, and place you in a weekly group. Online programs use an enrollment form instead. At Transformations BIP, you fill out the form and can start class 1 the same day. After you complete your first class, you will receive an initial Proof of Enrollment letter that you can provide to whoever is over your case. Status letters can also be requested at any time by you or probation. In addition, you receive a final Certificate of Completion that you can provide to them after your last class.
What batterer intervention programs are designed to do
Reduce future violence - The first goal is victim safety: fewer repeat offenses and safer homes for partners and children.
Build self awareness - Participants learn to spot their own controlling behaviors and abusive tendencies early, before they turn into harm.
Hold people accountable - Owning what happened, without blaming the victim, is a core part of every program.
Teach alternatives - Time-outs, communication skills, and healthier relationships replace threats and control.
Connect people to resources - Many programs also point participants to community services for substance use, trauma, or mental health support when those play a role.
How Long Does a Batterers Intervention Program Take?
Most batterer intervention programs run 26 or 52 classes, and most courts allow one class per week. The court, not the program, sets the number. Some states write it into law. California requires a program of not less than one year with weekly sessions of at least two hours (California Penal Code 1203.097). In most other places, the judge picks the number for your case. Use the exact number on your court order.
26 or 52
weekly classes in most court orders
Source: Transformations BIP FAQ, 2026. Check your paperwork for your exact number.
For most cases, the court allows only one class per week, so plan on the full number of weeks. Some cases do allow more than one class per week, for example when the court only wants the program done by a certain date. Always follow the guidelines in your own case, and ask your probation officer if you are not sure. Transformations BIP opens each week's class 24/7, but the completed class must be turned in by Sunday night to count for that week. A missed week counts as an absence, and your court may limit how many absences you are allowed.
Ordered to take a BIP? Your first 4 classes are free with the 16-class minimum program. No card needed to start.
Enroll Free TodayHow Much Does a Batterer Intervention Program Cost?
Costs vary a lot by format. In-person groups usually charge a one-time intake fee plus a fee per session, often $25 to $50 per week, and many require payment up front. Online programs are usually cheaper because there is no building, no staff on site, and no travel.
Transformations BIP pricing from the published fee schedule at domesticviolenceclasses.net, 2026. In-person ranges from published provider fee pages: Until the Violence Stops ($80 intake, $25 per session), S2S DV ($100 sign-up, $45 to $50 weekly), Compass of Carolina ($945 for 26 weeks). Fees vary by county.
Transformations BIP also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee from the date of enrollment for programs of 16 classes or more. Since no payment is due until week 5, you have time to confirm your court accepts the class before you spend a dollar.
Do Batterer Intervention Programs Work?
Batterer intervention programs work best for people who show up every week, do the work honestly, and stop making excuses. Research results are mixed, and researchers say the biggest factor is the participant, not the program (VAWnet, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence).
“Meaningful change includes admitting fully to what you have done, stopping excuses and blaming, making amends and accepting responsibility, and recognizing that abuse is a choice.”
- Lundy Bancroft, author of Why Does He Do That?, as cited in the Transformations BIP FAQ
Participants who get the most out of batterer intervention programs treat them as a chance, not a sentence. They show up, participate, and focus on understanding their own feelings and emotions before they act. The class is a tool. What you build with it, in your relationships and in the lives of the people around you, is up to you.
Will the Court Accept an Online Batterers Intervention Program?
It depends on your state, your county, and your judge. Online domestic violence classes are not accepted in Oklahoma or Washington state. California requires prior court approval before you take classes online. Many other courts accept online programs, especially for people who live far from a provider, work odd hours, or need privacy.
⚠️ Check first, then enroll
Before you enroll anywhere, ask your attorney, probation officer, or the court clerk one question: "Will an online domestic violence class satisfy my order?" Get the answer in writing if you can. Transformations BIP classes are nationwide and are not state-certified in any particular state. If your order requires a state-certified program, contact your local courthouse for a list.
What Happens When You Finish?
1Proof of Enrollment
After you complete your first class, you receive an initial Proof of Enrollment letter. You can give it to whoever is over your case.
2Status letters when you need them
Status letters can be requested at any time by you or probation. Court date coming up? Email a request and a progress letter goes out within 48 hours for your judge, probation officer, or attorney.
3Certificate of Completion
After your last class, your certificate is emailed free of charge. Print it the same day and bring it to court. Done.
Frequently Asked Questions About Batterers Intervention Programs
Is a batterers intervention program the same as anger management?
No. Anger management teaches you to control your temper. A BIP teaches how power and control work in a relationship and how to stop abusive behavior. Most courts will not accept an anger class in place of a BIP.
Which is the most common model for batterer intervention programs?
Most programs, in person and online, follow an education model built around power and control, often called the Duluth model. Weekly classes, accountability, and a set number of sessions are standard everywhere.
Can I take a batterers intervention program online?
In most states, yes, if your court allows it. Not in Oklahoma or Washington. California needs prior court approval.
Who should not enroll?
Victims of domestic violence, anyone whose case involves CPS or DHS, and anyone who lives in Oklahoma or Washington. If you are a victim and need help, visit thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233.
How many classes do I need?
Your court order says. Most people are assigned 26 or 52. Enroll in the exact number on your court order.
About the Classes
Transformations BIP LLC offers online domestic violence and batterers intervention classes, open 24/7 in 48 states. Each class has a short video, a reading, and a quiz that helps you apply the lesson to your own life. The classes are practical and interactive, made to be finished from home, on your own schedule. Classes are educational in nature and are not counseling or therapy.
Start Your Batterers Intervention Program Today
Enroll free in a few minutes. First 4 classes free with the 16-class minimum program. Available 24/7 in 48 states.
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First 4 classes free with the 16-class minimum program. 60-day money-back guarantee from the date of enrollment.
Classes are educational in nature and are not counseling or therapy. Not available in Oklahoma or Washington state. California requires prior court approval for online classes. Always confirm acceptance with your attorney, probation officer, or the court before enrolling.
