Stay away from this man.
Doug Bartholomew one of the founding fathers of the domestic violence industry in Washington State, is known as “The Enforcer”. When I asked him about this title this morning, he ventured and simultaneously recognized without denial that it was earned because “he knew so much about the laws and codes” concerning the DV industry in general. Yet when I questioned him about the complaint process as written in the DSHS statutes, he claimed ignorance and that he was only one of 40 people that helped to write that code. When questioned further about the utter vagueness of these statutes as written, he offered no response for one who claims to be so knowledgeable in this topic.
Yet, he claims on his website that he was the founding member that was the basis for this code. When I pointed out his contradiction here, he acknowledged it and promised to take it down. I pointed out many problems within the DV industry including topics such as perjury, lack of enforcement towards perjury, the continued enabling of such bad behavior, malpractice such as himself and Barry Glatt have practiced including using studies and statistics which have no basis in fact whatsoever and he offered no rebuttal. I offered him chance after chance to address the lack of empirical data that comes from women’s shelters that house predominantly homeless women instead of the claimed DV victims that are fraudulently given to the CDC and FBI for their statistical gathering. He offered no rebuttal. When I compared this data to studies that DO offer basis in fact and empirical data, he offered no rebuttal.
Yet, he continues to claim to be an expert in the field.
I would expect more from an expert than the answers that I received this morning. But he has made his millions off the flow of DV perpetrators sent to his office for “services” that offer threats and coercion as valid “treatment”, and no accountability for their actions. In other words, if you don’t do what Doug tells you to do, he has parlayed the industry and written the code that will enable him to ruin your life, take away your house, visitation with your children and give you a criminal record. THAT is why he is referred to as “The Enforcer”.
His answers fell woefully short this morning.
He was a coward.
He failed miserably to address any of the messes in which he helped to create and parlay into his life’s work. He acknowledged the problems yet offered no solutions. His cowardly response of pointing out my rights as a citizen to challenge what he created highlighted an utter lack of the accountability that he requires from his clients.
He offered NO willingness to undo or correct matters. And, why should he? He has made his millions off the fraudulent practices of the DSHS code that he helped to write and the Washington domestic violence industry. There would be nothing for him to gain outside of respect and accountability. He is a disgrace to his gender, selling men out at every step of the way under the guise of “treatment”. He is a snake oil salesman who operates without ANY basis in fact. He is to be avoided at all costs and is a danger out there to anyone who is involved in the domestic violence industry. He is public enemy #1.
Addendum: I have sent him an e-mail regarding this article and would welcome an open and honest debate here.
14 responses so far ↓
1 Snoco Sum Biatch // Mar 17, 2009 at 11:28 am
Luckily, I’ve never ran into this wanna be man. Is he short by chance? It seems many of these abusive men are short – standing behind laws that are more abusive than the people they prosecute.
I suspect this is how they make up for short penis syndrome.
2 jlukas // Mar 17, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I don’t beleive he is short. Just cowardly. Here is his opportunity to defend his policies. There’s no money to be made here. Just accountabilty with honor. Apparently, that is not enough of a paycheck for him to make a showing.
3 Blake // Jun 11, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I have just completed my third session with DB. I was ordered by the court in May to be evaluated by him. Instead of being a neutral or independent evaluator, I believe he was a gired gun by the opposing attorney.
Could you email me and tell me of your experiences with him and hindsight being 20/20, what would you have done differently.
Also were any of the following parties involved in your case: Wendy Hutchins-Cook, Christine Hook, Leslie irwin, Dale Todd, or Bruce Olson.
Thank you
Blake
4 jlukas // Jun 11, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Blake. Please e-mail me at jlukas@wadvpress.org
WADVPress
DB is as self absorbed and narcissistic as they come. He is definitely a hired gun and helped write the statutes that enable him to practice in such manner. Go into all of your sessions with him and use a tape recorder. This man needs to go.
5 Former Bartholomew Client // Aug 21, 2009 at 3:14 pm
First of all, if you had ever met Doug, you would realize that he *IS* short in stature, but I don’t see how his height (or what his penis size might be) is at all relevant to your claims concerning Doug being “public enemy #1.” I would like to politely suggest to you that you consider how your rhetoric impacts your credibility. Frankly, you sound very angry, which does not help your cause. If you read modern feminist propaganda, like that from N.O.W., you will notice that they usually keep it professional, especially when advancing bogus statistics and claims. Professional writing is generally more persuasive than angry writing, which is part of the reason that groups like N.O.W. carry much more political clout than any men’s organization.
If Doug Bartholomew had never become involved with the WA DV industry, I believe there would be things would be NO different than they are today. You give him WAAAAAY too much credit. Things are the same all over, whether in CA, CO, VA, Washington D.C., or WA state.
Its apparent in going through your site that you are very knowledgeable about what you are calling “the DV Industry,” as well as WA DV related statutes and case law. With that in mind, I would think that you would realize that Washington State is not particularly unique in its DV related laws, nor in the manner that the DV industry treats men. It’s kind of hard to believe that Doug Bartholomew is all THAT responsible for things being the way they are. From what I’ve read and seen around the United States, things are pretty much the same all over. Men, once accused of any kind of DV, lose their home, property, and access to their kids with little semblance of due process, and the DV industry has a vested interest in keeping things this way.
6 jlukas // Aug 21, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Comments about his “penis” were made by others. I don’t know them with this being the Internet, nor do I believe in censorship.
My article speaks for itself well. And the facts are the facts. Doug lied about WHY he is called “The Enforcer”, then couldn’t even back up that lie with another lie. That one being that “he wrote the state statues for DV programs”. What does THAT say to you? I simply seek and print the truth. I stand by EVERYTHING that I print as fully FACT checked. Calling me angry is the OLDEST and probably the most DESPERATE of techniques used against me. This happens a lot. Attack the messenger when you can’t attack the truth.
Perhaps an anger filled person would do that?
If you wish to debate me, let’s go. I’m more than game any time you are.
And you’re right about Doug. He’s simply a follower who claims to be a psychologist when he’s not. That has been claimed in depositions. He simply bleats out the Industry Mantra. What he does do well, is make money off unfortunate souls who happen to cross paths with him. His involvement with the statutes made that possible.
Your last paragraph is dead on. And you’re also right. WADVPress is not about Doug Bartholomew. He is part of those who are responsible for this mess. He is not the only person or only state that I have problems with. I simply interview these people when news of misbehavior makes it to me. If I have a problem with discovery, I will write about it as I have here.
Once again, I stand by this and ALL articles on this website, the majority of which are not about DB.
WADVPress
7 Another Barttholomew Client // Aug 22, 2009 at 9:49 am
I do not know what you are trying to say, are you saying that the system is so biased in every state that efforts to change would be futile?
It seems to me having been thru DB program that when laws are being broken and statutes violated then that should warrant scrutiny. One of the main premise of the DV Treatment Programs in Washington is Accountability, if these State Certified providers (Doug Bartholomew and Associates in particular) are not following the law and victims are being hurt by the treatment providers then the providers need to be accountable. I know from first hand experience that when DB is faced with stopping ongoing IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) being committed by people in his treatment by following the law or continuing his treatment of them to collect his fee’s he chooses Money. In other words Victims get hurt and Doug gets paid. This guy is a part of the problem, the system will never change unless people come forward, and by doing so take a huge risk, and expose what happens in these treatment programs.
I thought the webmaster on this site was off target with the inclusion of money as a motivator, I thought Bartholomew was a True Believer a true Duluth Model / Male Privilege devotee all the way, until the last when he exposed his true core motivations, Control and Money. When cornered with the truth Bartholomew will run for cover and protect his financial standing. He does not care about the victims of Domestic Violence.
The webmaster I think is giving Doug more credit than he is due, he is after all just a Social Worker with a Masters Degree, dime a dozen. Doug has no higher education, he is not a Phd, MD, or anything else. He is a Social Worker, he paid his $75 fee to Washington DOH and got a license. He does mistakenly calls what he does as “therapy” not “Treatment” Doug is quick to speak of all he has accomplished for Domestic Violence in this State but he will not take accountability for any of his actions that have caused harm. All that being said Bartholomew’s own actions will bring his own demise, he has chosen his own path.
He is a man who cannot take criticism and will not be challenged he thinks his actions are right and will make up any story to support his positions.
I would ask anyone with any contact with Doug Bartholomew to read the State of Washington RCW’s and WAC’s and make sure to document every violation by his actions, this is called Accountability. I commend this webmaster for calling for accountability in this flawed system.
8 Former Bartholomew Client // Aug 26, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Hello Jlukas,
For the most part, I agree with what I think you are trying to accomplish with this site. Please correct me if I am wrong, but it appears that you are trying to expose how unfairly the system and the DV industry treats men. If that is the case, I commend you.
I don’t question whether your statements about D.B. are factually correct, nor do I question your integrity. My statement that you sound angry was part of the impression I came away with after reading your article here, and my saying it has nothing to do with wanting to debate you or feeling desperate or running tactics or anything. You do sound angry. You could stop at mentioning that Doug has not offered explanations for various things without the name-calling (“coward”, etc ….) and let people draw their own conclusions, or you could go a bit further but still stop short of the labels. If your audience is limited to those who already have like-minded opinions, then fine, you have nothing to lose but little to gain. Outside of that audience, some readers might feel sympathy for D.B., which would be counterproductive to your writing, and you will not persuade those who are not already persuaded. Don’t limit yourself to preaching to the quire because you come-off sounding like you have an agenda are overselling it. I mean this constructively and hope you take it that way.
Again, I would urge you to spend some time on N.O.W.’s website to analyze their style of writing because they have been extremely successful over the years in advancing their cause and getting their way legislatively. Note that they generally present things very professionally (I’m sure you could find some exceptions to this).
I don’t mean to offend you, and I hope you take no offense. If I didn’t agree with what you are trying to accomplish then I wouldn’t bother spending the time to write.
9 jlukas // Aug 29, 2009 at 10:13 am
No offense taken. Just strong techniques stolen from NOW’s highly successful approach to the problem. They have done this for years, vilifying men at their own cost. My “anger” has nothing to do with the truth. And the facts that back up that truth. DB is only part of the problem, but he is important having being involved with writing the state statutes that allow him to operate in such fashion. That is analogous to writing the rules for an industry that I monopolize. Its both unfair and wrong. He profits from this. Simple as that.
He IS a coward. A bully that instantly backs down when approached with this truth. He backs down as he can see the dollars going out the window with each post of mine. He uses these techniques himself by threatening his “students” when his techniques fail, which they often do. THAT is why they call him the “enforcer”. If that is treatment, we have a long way to go.
10 Another Barttholomew Client // Aug 31, 2009 at 6:50 am
Change starts with one person having courage to come forward and put their situation on the line. If in fact he did help write the statutes he does little to follow them. In my experience his conclusions have little to do with actual DV he just makes up remarks/conclusions as he he needs to fit the situation, in fact one very respected expert told me “everything that comes out of his mouth is Bulls**t” “he just makes up his definitions as he goes”. Doug may think (and say) he is BETTER than other people but the truth will prove him wrong.
My recommendations for anyone in his treatment is to become knowledgeable on the codes and statutes and file a complaint with DOH (if justified) and limit the amount of harm he will cause you, because with Doug it is not a question of whether he will hurt you, it’s just what degree he will.
Doug will cover his ass when he thinks you are trying to protect your rights, but stand your ground and hold him accountable, in my experience don’t back down and don’t be intimidated by him and he will fold once he knows it may cost him money.
Fear and Intimidation is the backbone of the “industry” in Washington State when they are held to account the intimidation is taken away.
Here is a statute I think is often violated:
WAC 388-60-0275
What must the treatment program do when a participant satisfactorily completes treatment?
(3) The program may specify only that the perpetrator has completed treatment based on adequate compliance with the participant’s contract with the treatment program and any court order
It is my understanding that there is almost always a multi-page report written at the end of Treatment by this provider (again just a Social Worker not necessarily qualified to diagnosis) and as I interpret this Code anything more than a paragraph would be a violation. The Dept of Health has no time limit on filing a complaint, they say as time passes it is harder to investigate however on this statutory violation time would not matter, Doug would have documented his own violation. If this is familiar or applies to your situation do your part and help change the system one provider at a time.
Accountability is what is taught (and the law) and it is the minimum of what should be expected from all involved; true victims, perpetrators, Treatment Providers, courts, GAL’s, evaluators, survivors, lawyers, and those who file false allegations. The system has proven it has no interest in hold ALL to account for their actions, the burden lies with all involved to take action.
11 Sucia // Jun 1, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Dear “Another Bartholomew client”;
Another portion of the DV statute that needs scrutiny is WAC 388-60-0045:
WAC 388-60-0045 No agency filings affecting this section since 2003
What must be the focus of a domestic violence perpetrator treatment program?
(1) A domestic violence perpetrator treatment program must focus treatment primarily on ending the participant’s physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
(2) The program must hold the participant accountable for:
(a) The abuse that occurred; and
(b) Changing the participant’s violent and abusive behaviors.
(3) The program must base all treatment on strategies and philosophies that do not blame the victim or imply that the victim shares any responsibility for the abuse which occurred.
The key words here are contained in (3): “must” and “imply that the victim shares any responsibility for the abuse which occurred.” In other words, anyone providing DV treatment services in WA cannot even question or even imply that they question any allegation or statement made by a ‘victim’ in a DV situation. Apparently the thinking goes like this: For example, if a woman accuses her boyfriend of calling her a derogatory name or frowning at her or crying in front o her or refusing to discuss something with her (all acts of abuse according to the DV treatment providers I have spoken with and according to the Duluth model) then the DV evaluator/treatment provider cannot question the veracity of these claims even if the claims were patently false. If the claims are false then by questioning the validity of the claims the evaluator/treatment provider would be implying that the “ ‘victim’ shares some responsibility (by making false allegations) for the abuse which occurred”. The allegation could be that aliens came down from Jupiter and caused the man to slap his girl friend, but the DV evaluator/treatment provider CANNOT EVEN IMPLY that he/she is questioning the allegations for fear of losing the substantial financial windfall that comes with being a state certified DV treatment provider.
I have not asked him, but I strongly suspect that Doug Bartholomew interprets the same way. How, who and when the labels “victim” and “perpetrator” are assigned is another conversation is a topic for another long conversation.
Sucia.
12 jlukas // Jun 1, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Is it? These providers are also required to report new allegations of abuse. Is PAS not abuse as well? Or is it the ideology that is mistaken? Either way, he made his own bed here as the CLINICAL community has been excluded from that “victim” “perpetrator” element.
How about telling the truth of what one discovers? I know this may be a novel concept to some, but when there is ample proof, as there IS in many cases, why must these “stances” continue, especially under the guise of “mental health?
Please, I’d like to know your thoughts here..
13 Another Bartholomew Client // Jun 1, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Well then I guess Doug Bartholomew saying what me ex reported to him was “bullshit” (his word) could be “victim” blaming. Or Doug Bartholomew saying “she is a Bellevue woman who is all about the money” is that victim blaming?
Doug is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY and as of today he is no longer DSHS Certified to provide Domestic Violence Treatment, so there is no need to worry about anymore victim blaming he can just look in a mirror and blame himself for his situation, it is called accountability and now he has some.
14 Another Bartholomew Client // Jun 1, 2010 at 5:51 pm
One more comment here, Doug and his relationship to WAC 388-60 is quite loose, my experience is he does and says what he wants, that being said I understand many other DVPT providers are held to different standards and any acts which DSHS/Courts/Probation/Advocates feel is victim blaming result in DSHS pulling their certification, and/or admonishment via the court systems. It is a fear based system with the few “special” providers doing as they please.
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