Batterers Intervention Program
A New Way
A New Way does not practice ‘ATTACK THERAPY’. Our Court & Probation certified 52 week curriculum is used in many programs today. If you are beginning the process of getting involved with this program, either you or someone else thinks it might be a good idea for you to look at your abusive and controlling attitudes and behaviors. In the program, you will learn a great deal about abuse and control.
The bottom line is that abuse and control hurts you and the people who love you.
This program will give you the opportunity to look at and change this part of you, if you choose to do so. If these behaviors and attitudes do not change, they will continue to create problems for you and others in your life. Eventually, they will destroy the relationships that are most important to you. Make this a priority in your life. The program will offer you some new ideas, attitudes, and skills. Take them and use them in your day-to- day living.
Try to look at this program as a learning experience rather than as something you have to do because someone else is forcing you to do it. Most men have not had the chance to learn about the negative aspects of abuse and control. Often the primary places men learn about these issues are in the families in which they grew up, through their other childhood experiences, and through societal messages about what it means to be a “real” man. If you grew up in a disrespectful, abusive, and shaming family or neighborhood, what you learned about anger, abuse, and control frequently is not very helpful or healthy for you or anyone around you.
Start to truly believe that you can change your attitudes and behaviors related to anger, abuse, and control. The vast majority of men who enter the program have struggled with these issues throughout their lives. Some men have even attended other classes, groups, and programs. Without a belief that you can actually change, all the suggestions, ideas, and tools will not do you much good. Begin to visualize “a different you” in regard to your behavior when you feel the desire to be controlling and abusive. Learn to have faith that you can effect positive changes in these areas.
Program Philosophy
A New Way Program’s philosophy regarding intervention with domestic violence offenders is that the safety and well being of the victim and children is the primary concern. The program offers an alternative to violence and abuse through intervention, counseling and support.
The goal of A New Way is the alleviation of domestic violence and its effects on our families, our communities and our future. The program uses different techniques, exercises, and discussions to assure that the batterer gains no further power to abuse their partners or families. The children and partners safety are at the center of every procedure and practice.
The A New Way program works closely with the criminal justice agencies, community involvement, and collaboration with the DVSAC. This collaboration assures that the offenders are held accountable and are given access to as many resources as possible, in order to end the cycle of power and abuse that they are perpetuating.
The A New Way program recognizes that we can’t work in isolation with the offenders, but are part of a comprehensive community plan of action to end abuse. The Program Coordinator works closely every week with the staff at the DVSAC, to talk about situations; themes presented in-group, particular details concerning a dangerous situation, and overall communication.
By having this strong working relationship, the A New Way program uses the advice and direction from the advocates and counselors working with victims every day, which in turn affects the programming standards that are used.