"Recognising violence is a choice"
Men Living without Violence
A 16-week continuous open educational programme for men that provides men with a "structural" understanding of men's violence, and teaches non-violent alternatives.
Goals of the progamme:
- Become aware of dangerous behaviours, their purpose and function
- Become familiar with the "early warning signs of anger", including the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural indicators of increasing levels of anger and frustration
- Become familiar with anger reducing strategies, including a range of anger and frustration-releasing and relaxation strategies
- Acknowledge the fear-provoking effect of all men's intimidating, threatening, and emotionally abusive behaviour
- Have clear, contracted safety and interruption strategies, including having a planned and negotiated Time Out
- Understand and acknowledge the purpose and range of men's violence, abuse and controlling behaviour
- Become aware of the social and cultural supports for men's violence, abuse and controlling behaviours
- Become familiar with the political, institutional and historical context of men's violence.
- Accept the reality of women and children's experience of their behaviour
- Accept and admit responsibility for their behaviour and its effect and consequences
- Plan and practise new equality and respect based and supportive behaviour
- Increase willingness and ability to hear the concerns and criticisms of others
- Increase willingness and ability to listen and communicate supportively