The contributions of Ellen Pence to batterer programming

Ellen Pence helped build the foundation of batterer programming with the Duluth program. The program forged new ground and bridged the concerns of advocates and criminal justice officials by developing its "Power and Control Wheel" from women's experiences with abuse. Its dialogical format, responding to vignettes and control logs, helps to engage men in a reflective process, to monitor their behavior, and to identify alternative outlooks and responses. At the same time, Ellen's work remains rooted in a gender analysis and a coordinated community response. Critics of Duluth programming miss the mark with a distorted caricature of Duluth, neglect of substantiating research, and the bias from their own personal agendas. Ellen's personal touch of insightful humor and personal interest has helped to move forward the lessons of Duluth and the field itself. Her groundbreaking program helps to sort through the disarray of approaches among batterer programs today.