In California, a person may be charged with sexual battery as a domestic violence crime if he or she touches his or her intimate partner in a sexual way against that partner’s will. One’s GLBT intimate partner may be his or her partner in a civil union, his or her boyfriend or girlfriend, the person with whom he or she lives or the person with whom he or she has children. Domestic abuse laws also pertain to those partners who formerly shared one of these relationships but who no longer remain together. If convicted of this crime and placed on probation, the defendant must participate in a batterer’s class and will also face a variety of other severe penalties.

Batterer’s classes are either exclusively male or female. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals may be able to find classes that are also sensitive and specific to their relationships, although they aren’t as plentiful as the classes that focus on heterosexual relationships. If seeking such a class, a California domestic violence lawyer may be a good person to contact, as he or she should have this type of referral. At minimum, the defendant must attend a two-hour class once a week for a year. These classes are designed to help people who need to learn to control their anger and violent tendencies. Counselors encourage the class participants to examine their lives so that they can better understand the reasons why they succumb to violence. If successful, students learn that they cannot manipulate their relationships by controlling their partners.

Batterer’s classes were developed to put an end to domestic abuse. California has established guidelines that each instructor must follow so that defendants receive the same education and counseling regardless of where they reside. Topics that must be covered in each class include the dynamics of power and control, gender roles, socialization, the effects of abuse on children and others and the nature of violence. When discussing these themes, counselors address various forms of abuse including physical and sexual abuse, economic manipulation or domination, threats, emotional abuse and acts that jeopardize the well-being and safety of children and other family members or friends. The class also addresses effective ways to communicate in a relationship so that the student can learn to restore equality in his or her relationship and won’t be tempted to resort to violent expression.

Class facilitators directly confront students when they either attempt to justify their use of violence or try to blame others for it. The leaders try to reshape and eliminate the values, beliefs, language and behaviors that their students have learned that allow them to gain and maintain power over their intimate partners by teaching them specific techniques for achieving non-abusive, non-controlling attitudes and behaviors.

Batterer’s classes are only one of the penalties that are imposed when an individual is convicted of sexual battery but has the potential to be the most rehabilitative if the defendant is open to that possibility. The trusted, LGBT-friendly attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm will do their best to connect their clients with classes that will meet their individual needs. With law offices in Los Angeles and throughout California, they are familiar with programs statewide and can be a great resource for the individual seeking help. For legal advice about a sexual battery charge, about another intimate partner abuse charge or about any other criminal legal matter, contact them today for a free consultation.