Domestic Violence

forest_fireStopping Abuse

Domestic Violence is a physical act that includes punching, slapping, grabbing, threatening, pushing, or use of a weapon by one family member towards another.

It also includes verbal and emotional abuse that many victims report is every bit as painful.

What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is a physical act that includes punching, slapping, grabbing, threatening, pushing, or use of a weapon by one family member towards another. It also includes verbal and emotional abuse that many victims report is every bit as painful. Are you abusive? The following are questions you may want to ask yourself to decide whether you have a problem:

  • Have you hit, grabbed, pushed, threatened, frightened or intimidated your partner?
  • Has your partner expressed fear of you?
  • Do you call your partner names?
  • Does she complain that you are trying to control her?
  • Do you force her to do things against her will?
  • When you treat her badly, do you believe she is deserving of your abuse?
  • Do you blame your actions on stress, or alcohol?
  • Do you accuse her of being interested in other men and express jealousy and act possessive?
  • Have you cheated on her?
  • Do you mistreat your children?
  • If you answered yes to any of the above, you will want to seek help at MRC.

What You Will Learn at MRC
MRC teaches you to:

  • Take full responsibility for your behavior
  • Understand that abuse is a decision and you can choose not to be abusive
  • Discover new ways of communicating with your partner that give you and her more of what you want
  • Understand the effects of your abuse on your partner and children
  • Understand how your attitudes and beliefs affect your abusive behavior
  • Learn to create non-violent, loving relationships based on equality and openness
  • Evaluate how you use power and control in your relationships
  • Discover ways to control your anger
  • Improve parenting skills

How Long Is the Program and How Do I get Into It?
You must call and make an appointment which will be made to accommodate your work schedule. Initially a counselor will meet with you individually for three sessions, each lasting one hour. The purpose of these sessions will be to get to know you. You will be given a risk assessment to determine how dangerous you are to others and yourself. You will be asked to sign a contract which lists responsibilities and expectations defined by MRC, and your willingness to abide by the rules of the program. You will then be assigned to a group. You can only enter groups after assessment, program intake and orientation, and contract signing. All absences must be excused prior to group times, with no more than 4 total absences.

The group lasts for 24 weeks and/or until you have completed all your homework assignments. Each group lasts for 2 hours. You will be given a workbook and required to complete specific tasks in workbook prior to group sessions. You will be expected to participate actively in the group. Themes explored include understanding who batters, developing honesty and trust, identifying anger, understanding how injury occurs, healing damaged relationships, making firm commitments, setting goals and values, to name just a few.

Contact us to learn more.