Why BIP?
Under Florida Statute § 741.281, any person who is found guilty of, has adjudication withheld on, or pleads nolo contendere to a crime of domestic violence will be ordered by the court to attend a batterers’ intervention program as a condition of probation. Domestic violence is defined under Florida Statute § 741.28 as “any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.”
In Florida, the Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP) is a 6-month intensive program to address the root causes of domestic violence and prevent participants from committing acts of domestic violence in the future. It consists of an initial assessment, orientation, and at least twenty-six (26) weeks of group counseling sessions.
Current Providers
Pursuant to section 741.325(1), Florida Statutes, when the court orders the respondent to participate in a batterers’ intervention program, the court, or any entity designated by the court, must provide the respondent with a list of batterers’ intervention programs from which the respondent must choose a program in which to participate.
To obtain a list of certified BIP providers, please visit the Florida Department of Children and Families website at Find a local Batterers' Intervention Program | Florida DCF (myflfamilies.com).
How to Become a Provider
To become an approved provider of the Batterers Intervention Program in our Circuit, you and your program must meet the statutory requirements per Florida Statute section 741.325. For further information, please contact Jeffrey N. Peppers, BIP Certification Specialist, in the Office of Domestic Violence with the Florida Department of Children and Families via email at jeffrey.peppers@myflfamilies.com