Domestic violence perpetrator programmes consist of around a dozen or so men, and two or three counselors, mandated to be one male and one female. They cover a wide range of topics, in order to work through each possible issue of the domestic violence perpetrators in the group, and each perpetrator is usually required and encouraged to attend each weekly meeting, for six months or more.
Each of the programme’s meetings last just about two or three hours long, and they’ll have a different theme each time. Some programmes focus mainly on discussing problems, while others have interactive exercises designed specifically to help perpetrators learn non-violent behaviour. Many programmes will have a round in the beginning of the meeting, for each man to say his name, whether or not there has been any domestic violence in their home since the last meeting, and if there are any problems in the relationship currently.
The first meeting, or first few meetings with deal with learning about what abusive and violent behaviour really is. Afterwards, the meetings will explore the reasons for the perpetrator’s abusive behaviour, whether it stems from past problems, stress, emotional issues, or anything else; the purpose is to get to the bottom of why one abuses their partner.
The programme with go on to cover topics in order, realising that each man is capable and in control of their potential to make non-violent decisions. After those meetings have been concluded, the programme will deal with instructing the perpetrators on how to take responsibility for their behaviour, without putting the blame on their partner, or making it seem unimportant. Then the perpetrators will be brought entirely up to speed on just what domestic violence does to their loved ones, afterwards the meetings will focus mainly on how to recognize and stop abusive behaviour before it starts.
The meetings will then begin to deal with instructing abusive men in ways to keep violence out of their relationship, even when dealing with problems, as well as learning non-violent ways to deal with their partner’s anger. As the programme draws to a conclusion, the meetings will cover how to recognize the process of getting primed for becoming abusive, and then learning to relax, and calm down. Then in conclusion, the meetings will focus on compromise, being supportive, respectful, listening, and eventually, fortifying a more caring and solid relationship.