Intro to Domestic Violence Intervention Program

Domestic Violence Intervention Program

DVIP IS:
1. The Domestic Violence Intervention Program is committed to the confrontation and elimination of intimate violence.
2. We believe partner battery and abuse is a choice made by batterers and ONLY they are responsible for these actions.
3. The DVIP uses educational groups as the primary tool for increasing awareness of and accountability for abuse on the part of the batterer.
DVIP IS NOT:
1. A tool to increase a batterer’s chances of gaining custody of his children
2. A form of marital or relationship counseling.
3. A tool to get someone to take you back.
4. A means of avoiding consequences for behavior such as jail, probation or other sanctions.
5. A resource for you to find a way to “fix” your partner or your relationship.
DVIP GROUP MEMBER EXPECTATIONS:
1. You will participate in group. This involves your talking about your own behavior, confronting other group members, and giving and receiving appropriate feedback.
2. You will complete assignments. If you do not have your homework for the week, you will not stay in group and will receive an absence.
3. You will hav specific goals and a written action plan completed by your fifth group. You will update the group on your progress weekly.
4. You will not use group time to whine, discuss, debate or vent about any issue not currently being addressed in group. You are free to start a discussion group of your own to meet at your convenience and discuss whatever you like. This group is not a civics class, a support group, a legal clinic or law class. Our goal is specific.
5. You will not violate the privacy of any group member by discussing them in any way outside of group.
6. You will not violate the privacy of any person outside of group by discussing them in group.
7. You will need to bring a notebook, paper and pen to group.
8. You will not be allowed in group if you are more than five minutes late.
9. You must have a written copy of the police report of you offense by the second group.
10. You must contact Janet Boudreau (810) 238-7621 ext. 309 if you have any problems with the record of your group attendance or payments fees, or any other group issues.
11. You will not be allowed into any group other than your regularly scheduled group without special permission from Janet Boudreau.

In general, we expect that you will be working hard in group. You, as a group member are responsible for what you get out of this experience. At no time should you be sitting back and waiting for something to happen. You are expected to work individually and encourage each other toward positive change. The facilitators cannot change you and your partner cannot change YOU. We absolutel3i believe in your ability to change and know you can if you choose to. This also means that we accept no excuses; if you don’t work at change, only you are to blame. You are expected to work daily at increasing your level of ownership, learning and practicing new skills and applying group concepts to your own life. if you have a problem with group or need information you don’t feel you are getting, you are responsible for bringing it to our attention in an appropriate manner.

REMEMBER- You are lucky to be in group! Rarely are persons guilty or criminal activity allowed the choice of learning to change their behavior. Our perspective is that being in group is a privilege. We do not have to keep you in group if you are not working.

Separation Violence

Most people believe that battered women will be safe once they separate from the batterer. They also believe that women are free to leave abusers at any time. We have all heard, “All she had to do was leave; she brought it on herself.” The unfortunate fact is that leaving does not usually put an end to the violence. Batterers may, in fact, escalate their violence to coerce a battered woman into reconciliation or to retaliate for the battered woman’s perceived rejection or abandonment of the batterer. The man who believes that he is entitled to a relationship with a woman or that he “owns” her; views the woman’s departure as an ultimate betrayal which justifies retaliation. Evidence of the gravity of separation violence is overwhelming. One study revealed that 73% of the battered women seeking emergency medical services sustained injuries after leaving the batterer. Another study showed that over ¼ of the women killed by their male partners were attempting to end the relationship when they were killed.
Although leaving may pose additional hazards, at least in the short run, the research data and experience demonstrate that ultimately a battered woman can best achieve safety and freedom apart from the batterer. Leaving requires planning and legal intervention to safeguard victims and their children. Victim advocates and battered women must work in partnership to assure that the risk of violence is minimized the separation process. Getting out of an abusive relationship is not easy, but it can provide an opportunity for you and your children to live a life free of violence. Seeking counseling and support when you end a violent relationship is crucial for you and your children.