Oliver J. Williams, Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Minnesota, United States of America

In recent years there has been increasing discussions about the impact of diversity in addressing domestic violence and what interventions can reduce battering behavior among men of color. This presentation will offer a review and critique of the literature and research associated with this question particularly as it relates to African American men who batter. The presenter will discuss various challenges in practice related to population characteristics such as age, history of trauma and exposure to various types of violence as well as social and community context challenges including levels of poverty and other contributors to high stress community environments. Finally, the presenter will offer recommendations as to the type of treatment approaches, practitioner traits and domestic violence organization that may promote greater outcomes with African American men who batter.