Community Services

The importance of rehabilitation programmes for male perpetrators has been underscored in many domestic violence intervention models. In addition, given the risks to women’s emotional, physical and mental health, these programmes must provide quality interventions that promote women’s safety. Since ineffective intervention does more harm than good and jeopardizes the safety of the victim, programmes for abusive men must be specialized, and include an ongoing
evaluation component for programme effectiveness. Using women’s safety as the highest priority, we seek to develop specific
specialized intervention programmes for men who abuse their partners. In the absence of treatment or effective sanctions, men who abuse usually continue to do so. The more severe the violence, the less likely it is to stop. The justice system does not cure batterers. Rehabilitation of the abuser will be a coordinated response, linking together the justice system when possible, advocacy work, and the education of batterers. This approach facilitates accountability for the violence committed and reward for non-abusive behaviour. Once fully implemented, this model provides a consistent philosophy of practice for all officials who are likely to encounter a batterer who has been brought before the court.

This education programme for batterers will emphasize accepting responsibility for abusive behaviour without blaming their partners; changing attitudes so that they no longer see violence as an acceptable response in any situation; addressing power and control issues, and the connection between abusing and our patriarchal culture.

The intervention programme would be available to men. Men could enter the programme voluntarily, or be referred by the court, or other agencies. We strongly support legal sanctions against the abuse of women and our work will assist in enforcing all court referrals. We believe that holding the batterer accountable is one of the most crucial factors in stopping the abuse.

 Our Goals: 

1. Increase the safety and protection of women and children by working with the abusers.
2. Increase the ability of female partners to address their safety and protection needs
3. Develop ways of working with men who abuse in order to eliminate violence against women.
4. Enable men to work through attitudes, values, and to develop skills that promote nonabusive behaviour and gender equality.