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Information in this article may be triggering to some readers.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
What Are Domestic Violence Classes?
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Domestic violenceclasses are geared toward perpetrators of domestic violence as an intervention used to stop the cycle of abuse.
However,domestic violenceis an issue that impacts many.
What Is Domestic Violence?
A recent study estimated that at least 5 million adult women experience a form of domestic abuse annually.
Make no mistake; women arent the only people impacted by domestic violence.
The term perpetrator is used to describe the person inflicting the abuse.
Why Does Domestic Violence Occur?
Part of ending the cycle of abuse is developing an understanding ofwhy domestic violence occurs.
First, abuse in intimate relationships can take many different forms.
Sometimes, multiple forms of violence occur, whereas in other cases, there is one form of abuse.
These forms include: physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse.
What Happens in a Domestic Violence Class?
Domestic violence classes are also known as Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP).
Types of Domestic Violence Classes
The only recognized domestic violence classes are BIPs.
However, a process known as restorative justice can be used to address domestic violence issues.
This study shows much promise for the future of incorporating restorative justice into BIPs.
Future arrests and the severity of any resulting violent infractions committed by participants were reduced by over 50%.
It is important to recognize that anger management programs are not domestic violence classes.
These are not the same as domestic violence classes.
Instead, these groups are focused on the cycle of violence and processing the resulting trauma.
Perpetrators and survivors are never put in a therapeutic processing space togethernot even in couples therapy.
This is due to the risk of violence reoccurring between partners during the therapy process.
Who Should Seek Domestic Violence Classes?
These classes are part of court mandates for intimate partner violence cases that result in legal action.
Currently, domestic violence classes serve as one of the primary interventions in intimate partner violence.
They can direct you to local resources and classes.
Furthermore, change can only occur if the perpetrator wants to change.
Therefore, finding domestic violence classes for them isnt only ineffective, but it can also threaten your safety.
Emotional and financial challenges make it difficult for a person to leave an abusive partner.
It’s estimated that a woman will leave her abusive partner seven times before leaving permanently.
However, it’s important to remember that it is extremely dangerous to stay in a physically abusive relationship.
They can help you find resources like therapy,support groups, and a safe shelter.
Alternatively, you might use theirlocal resources search functionto see what is available near you.
Accountability is extremely importantit isnever the victim’s faultthat they have been abused.
If you are a victim, know that there is help and resources that are available to you.
Healing is possible and you deserve to feel safe, loved, heard, and cared for.
Huecker MR, King KC, Jordan GA, Smock W.Domestic violence.
Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
United Nations.What is domestic abuse?
Rakovec-Felser Z.Domestic violence and abuse in intimate relationships from a public health perspective.Health Psychol Res.
2016;42(4):567-583. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12178
Domestic Abuse Shelter.Definition of domestic violence.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Effects of violence against women.
