Domestic Violence Life Skill Classes

To whom it may concern.

There is a secret war going on. Our women and children are being held hostage, beaten, burned, threatened and killed at alarming rates with no end in sight. 

The Culprit: Domestic Violence. It’s hidden but it’s everywhere and in every neighborhood. Abusers are masters at projecting a public face characterized by charm, warmth, caring and tenderness. Behind this public mask hides a raging batterer....Violence against women and children is the most pervasive human rights challenge of our time.

Speak Out Against Domestic Violence so that together we can put a stop to the violence that affects 1 in 3 women worldwide and every 15 seconds in the United States.

GET HELP! PRESSURE BATTERERS TO STOP

Where? Diamond Life's Fresh Start Program (classes to be scheduled in the future) or Anger Management Class. Call for more information.

Domestic Violence Fresh Start Program 

Part of Diamond Life United Services goal is to implement this program in the near future. We are preparing the necessary paperwork and applications to get the certification to proceed with these classes. Program intervention methodology will primarily consist of group sessions whose purpose is to educate the perpetrator.

The goals of the Fresh Start Education and Intervention Program will be the cessation of coercive, dominating and violent behavior, and the safety of the victims, current partners, and the children.Composition of the groups shall be restricted to perpetrators of domestic abuse who are of the same gender.

A client shall attend a program of eighty (80) hours, with individual sessions of 1 to 2 hours in length. Groups will provide ample opportunity for participation in discussions and for feed back to the client. The maximum size of groups is fifteen (20) participants.

The program will impose any reasonable conditions on participation in intervention services that it deems appropriate.

The curriculum of the educational component shall include but not be limited to: Identification, confrontation and change of abusive and controlling behaviors to victims including partners and children. All forms of physical abuse and intimidation shall be identified and challenged.

Specific attention to emotional, mental, sexual and economic abuse shall be included. Identification and discussion of the effects of violence and abuse on victims, including children who witness such abuse.The short- and long-term effects of violence on partners and children shall be enumerated.

Clients shall be expected to take responsibility for creating these consequences; the exercises shall build empathy and take the perspective of the victims.

Confrontation of excuses for abuse: This shall include a philosophical stance that abuse is the sole responsibility and choice of the perpetrator; abuse is never justified.

Identification and practice of cooperative and non-abusive forms of communication: Perpetrators are expected to learn non-abusive and responsible ways of treating their partners and children. Identification of cultural and social influences that contribute to abusive behavior without allowing these issues to excuse or justify individual responsibility for abuse.

Mandatory participation by the client in the program shall not extend beyond the client’s term of probation. We may provide a written recommendation to the Chief Probation Officer or Probation Officer in Charge and the referring court in writing that a batterer’s participation in the program be extended beyond the period of time initially required.

Individual Intervention: It is recognized that a limited number of perpetrators may need individualized rather than specialized group intervention (e.g., adolescent batterers not appropriate for an adult group). This intervention shall focus on the violence and other abuse perpetrated by the offender.

Criteria for Program Completion

The client has to remained violence free for no less than twenty (20) consecutive weeks prior to discharge.The client has completed the program according to the intervention contract.The client has accepted responsibility for violent behavior; ceased to blame the victim for violence; and recognized the adverse effects of his/her violent acts.The client has met the financial obligation for the intervention. 

Domestic violence thrives on ignorance: This class is a great tool to approach the protection of our families. We know that education on this issue will save lives. The more it is openly discussed the less it will be able to remain concealed. We do not suggest that this will be an easy war to win. Many people make fun of the idea that we even try to end the violence. Although it’s a lofty goal, it is a problem we can work on one case at a time.

Anger Management Classes: These classes are separate and apart from the Intervention classes. Our curriculum focuses on providing participants with the skills and strategies necessary for recognizing and controlling angry feelings. In many cases, children and adults with behavioral problems can learn to get them under control by completing anger management classes.The anger management program consist of multiple instructional strategies, including:

• Lecture

• Discussion

• Examples and non-examples of acceptable behavior

• Role play exercises

• Simulations

• Case studies

Anger Management Curriculum

Content Empathy: One of the major aspects of an anger management program involves teaching students to look at situations from the perspective of other people. Teaching people to empathize with others involves helping them learn to stop and look at situations as if they were standing in another person's shoes.

Self Awareness: Many times, people who exhibit anger management problems have trouble recognizing the signs that they are losing their tempers. An important component of any anger management curriculum involves teaching people to become aware of the emotional and physical signs that they are becoming angry. By learning to recognize the onset of anger, people can take steps to keep their responses under control.In addition to recognizing what the onset of anger feels like, it's also important to become aware of the situations that tend to trigger the onset of an angry episode. Different things lead to anger responses for different people. By reflecting over past situations that resulted in problematic behavior, people can learn what environmental factors put them at risk for an outburst.Reflection often reveals varied anger triggers, such as being teased or bullied, experiencing personal or professional criticism, feeling "backed into a corner", and more.

Problem Solving Strategies: Recognition of the onset of anger and triggers for inappropriate responses are significant steps toward keeping problem behavior at bay, but it isn't sufficient. In order to effectively manage anger, people must know how to resolve problems in a constructive manner. Because of this, most anger management programs devote significant time to teaching problem solving techniques and strategies.The problem solving component of an anger management class typically focuses on a five step approach that includes:Problem identificationIdentifying alternativesWeighing consequences of alternativesChoosing an appropriate responseEvaluating the outcome

Relaxation Techniques: Many problems associated with violent outbursts are associated with the inability to cope with stress. When teaching people how to get their anger under control, it's important to teach them a variety of relaxation techniques. Since not everyone responds to the same type of relaxation exercises, several options are usually presented in these types of classes.Anger management sessions often involve instruction on a variety of types of meditation, including deep breathing, visualization, yoga, and more. 

Anger Management Life Skills Training Benefits: There are several benefits associated with anger management life skills training. People with anger problems pose a danger to themselves and other people. Participating in these types of classes is often recommended for people who have trouble keeping their tempers in check. In some cases, doing so is even mandated for people who have exhibited violent tendencies.

Unchecked rage problems often lead to run-ins with the legal system, trouble staying employed, and abusive behavior. When anger problems are recognized early and are headed off with appropriate interventions, such problems may be reduced or avoided.

People who are able to handle feelings of anger without resorting to violent or other counterproductive responses are much more likely to be fully functioning, productive members of society throughout their lives.

Admitting you have a problem and dealing squarely with it. Focus on anger and What sets you off producing the actions and moods that wreck your life. Come into a new knowledge that will help you master yourself.

Discover a whole new way to relate to others, which will open up a new range of good experiences. Participate in community service and outreach events that benefit survivors of domestic violence.

Most of all, the work of therapy will free you from a life that's empty, hopeless and full of shame and guilt.(10-40 classes available) $25.00 per class All offender proceeds go to life saving services for survivors of Domestic Violence.

Call for class openings and location (617) 407-7387 e-mail: mydiamondlife@hotmail.com

Certificates are given upon completion. Classes are mandatory. Non-compliance with program rules will result in termination.

Insurance accepted