| Very many people assume that it is only the victims | | | | about to become violent and learn how to stop. |
| of domestic violence that need help. Little do we | | | | If you are among the perpetrators of domestic |
| know that even the people who are responsible for | | | | violence, you might be having a problem of resolving |
| the abuse usually have a will to change and become | | | | conflicts in a relationship. In the small group you will |
| better persons. There are perpetrator programmes | | | | learn many non-abusive approaches of dealing with |
| that are established to help abusers who are | | | | relationship problems. If you are always provoked by |
| desperate to change. They are designed to change | | | | your partner's anger, you can help your partner to |
| the violent behavior in men. It helps them to realize | | | | manage anger in a better non-abusive way. The help |
| the value of non-abusive healthy relationships and if | | | | groups have a way of helping you to build respective |
| possible aspire to live better lives. You will agree with | | | | relationships where you can negotiate and listen to |
| me that majority of perpetrators of domestic | | | | your partner without getting hurt or worked up. You |
| violence are male and so the programme operators | | | | will never regret joining the interactive discussion |
| are mostly male. The programmes are usually made | | | | groups as they offer realistic, stimulating and relevant |
| of small groups of around 9-16 men who have a | | | | advice. They look into every man's situation to make |
| history of being violent. | | | | sure every single person benefits. In the meetings |
| They might also be in currently abusive relationship. | | | | there are check-in moments to report any continued |
| They are men from all walks of life, classes, | | | | cases of abuse after the last meeting. |
| backgrounds, races and geographical locations. The | | | | The changing programme of perpetrators may last |
| small group involve activities which are usually run by | | | | long or shorter depending on the amount of change |
| a maximum of three group-workers with previous | | | | involved in the one's behavior. Change is a process |
| experiences. The discussions are motivational, | | | | and it does not happen overnight. A person who is to |
| inspiration and educational. The group tackles all the | | | | fully benefit from the programme should attend at |
| subjects concerning violence and abuse. They define | | | | least 2-3 hours a day for approximately 24 weeks. In |
| them, understand the perpetrators behavior, and | | | | other words a dedicated abusive person who is willing |
| most importantly they learn that they can control | | | | to change should attend 75 sessions without fail. |
| and choose not to be violent. They are taught to | | | | According to testimonies from fully changed |
| take responsibility for their violent behavior by | | | | perpetrators of domestic violence, these |
| avoiding to blame others. Perpetrators of domestic | | | | programmes work miracles. You can join the one |
| violence join the group because they are ready to | | | | near you. Sadly, it is not all places which have |
| change. They are made to understand the effect of | | | | perpetrator programmes. You can visit the domestic |
| their violence and how to notice when they are | | | | violence associations for more details. |