Alternatives to Violence Programs

Alternatives to Violence (ATV) Program

The Alternatives to Violence Program is a 26-week program designed to help participants recognize and change thinking and behavior patterns that have led to violent and abusive behavior in the past.  This intensive education group carefully takes participants through a series of educational modules.  Sessions help group members look at their violent and abusive behavior and reasons for this behavior, develop accountability, learn and utilize tools for nonviolence and anger management, and learn skills to develop more effective relationships and parenting skills.

The length of the group allows time for learning and practicing new behaviors.  The group has been very successful due to both the content of the group as well as the length of the group.  The length of time (6 months) has been shown to be a best practice in addressing long term negative behavior patterns.  In fact, six months is often considered the minimum length of time to bring more permanent behavior change.

The group was originally designed for individuals convicted of domestic violence.  However, the group has expanded to help a variety of individuals with violent or abusive behavior learn ways to change and engage in positive interactions with others.

Advanced Alternatives to Violence (AATV) Program

The Advanced Alternatives to Violence Program is an additional 26-week program for those at greater risk of re-offense, providing a total of 52 weeks of intervention.  Clients who are considered at moderate to high risk for offending are recommended to the Advanced Alternatives to Violence Program (AATV).  The program involves reviewing skills learned in the first segment, continued close monitoring of the clients, and offering change experiences at a deeper level.

The group is based on the principles of risk, need, and responsivity, good lives model of offending, on-going monitoring of client's behaviors and continual assessment of clients.  Skills to be strengthened include: increased awareness, increased commitment to values, increased commitment to positive self-growth and change, increased commitment to nonviolence, continued practice of emotional regulation skills, continued practice of thinking skills, continued practice of interpersonal skills and continued personal development.

Alternatives to Violence Assessment

All participants for the Alternatives to Violence program undergo a complete assessment prior to beginning the program.  A complete psychosocial history is collected including: family history, marriage and partnership history, social history, educational history, employment history, financial management, military history, medical history, psychiatric history, substance abuse history, gambling history, youth behavioral history, legal history and details of the incident that brought them to the program.  This assessment incorporates several mental health screening tools as well.

The Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) is a clinical checklist designed to screen for risk factors of spousal or family-related assault.  The SARA presents a framework within which to assess the risk of future violence in people arrested for spousal assault.  To complete the SARA, the following must take place: interview with client, criminal record review, third party interviews, mental health screen and substance abuse screen.

After completion of the SARA, an intake summary is completed which details evaluation validity, summary of collateral contacts with the victim or family members, a risk assessment of low, medium or high for general violence and low, medium or high for violence against partner, motivation for treatment, risk factors, referral suggestions and recommendations for the 26-weeks or 52-weeks programs or other recommendations.