Men's Anti-Violence And Abuse Program

Goal

To help men take ownership for their violence and abuse and to provide them with information and practical tools to change those values, beliefs and behaviours which are the foundation of their use of violence.

The group, in partnership with the community, is designed to help men:

• To understand their violence as a means of controlling their partner.
• To examine the effects of their violence on their partner, children, friends and themselves.
• To understand the roots of violence against women through examining our cultural and social context.
• To explore non-controlling and non-violent methods of relating to women.
• To become more accountable to the victims of their violence.

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Focus of Group Work

• Reducing abuse and violence against women is not about anger management or better communication skills.
  
• The focus of this group is to help men let go of power and control in their intimate relationships.
  
• A major emphasis is placed upon helping men examine their beliefs and attitudes and to make any necessary changes within themselves.
  
• Minimizing or blaming others will be discouraged.
  
• Participants will be invited to accept responsibility for their own actions.

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Referral Process

Who may be referred?

• Voluntary clients who acknowledge that they have been abusive and controlling towards a female partner
  
• Post-sentence court mandated referrals will be forwarded to the agency by the local Probation and Parole Offices
  
• Pre-sentence court mandated referrals will be forwarded to the agency by the Crown Attorney's Office
  
• In all cases we encourage the individual applicant to call the agency to schedule the initial assessment for the Men's Anti-Violence and Abuse Program.

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Fees

• There is no fee for the initial assessment.
  
• The participant will be expected to pay for the group sessions.

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Commitment

Participants agree to attend no less than 14 and no more than 16 group sessions.

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Limited Confidentiality

Information revealed in the group will be held confidential, to the extent allowed by law.

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