Reply to Lessons in Program Evaluation: The ACTV Batterer Program Study and Its Claims:

Gondolf, Bennett, and Mankowski raise many concerns about the ACTV batterers’ intervention program (BIP) and the Zarling, Bannon, and Berta evaluation of ACTV, including (a) the researchers’ and the Iowa Department of Corrections’ promotion of ACTV; (b) research design, outcome measure, and results; (c) contextual issues; and (d) the effectiveness debate surrounding BIPs. The current commentary responds to each of these concerns, as well as identifies errors and corrects misinformation in their article. It is hoped that this response will also clarify the broader context of ACTV development and research and contribute to the ongoing discussion about BIPs.