• Train professionals
• Educate the public
• Intervene with violent men
• Mentor interns
• Publish articles
• Ally with other organizations

Men Stopping Violence's intervenes with individual men through telephone contacts, Information Meetings, courtroom interventions, 24-week classes, and an ongoing Community Restoration Program for men who complete the 24-week curriculum. We offer several different programs to assist men in changing their abusive behavior. To learn more about any of these programs please contact Sulaiman Nuriddin at snuri@menstoppingviolence.org or (404) 270-9894.

Components of the Men's Intervention Programs

• Court Class
• 24-Week Educational Course (Batterer Intervention Program)
• Community Restoration Program

Men Stopping Violence Court Class

Men Stopping Violence, in conjunction with the DeKalb County Court, provides a twice-montly class for some men who have been arrested for domestic violence offenses in DeKalb County.

The class examines men’s use of abusive and intimidating tactics against women, and tactics used to enforce and maintain power and control. The use of videos and other educational materials prompt men to engage in a dialogue that explores their behavioral choices.

The class also explores the question, "Who batters and why?" and the myths and beliefs about what it is to be a man in a relationship with a woman.

Finally, we look at the connections between sexism and racism to make the case that it is in men’s interest to work towards eradicating sexism.

Court classes for 2008 are scheduled for January 11 and 25; February 8 and 22; March 7 and 21; April 4 and 18; May 2, 16 and 30; June 13 and 27; July 11 and 25; August 8 and 22; September 5 and 19; October 3, 7 and 31; November 14; and December 5 and 19.

The classes are at the DeKalb County Courthouse at 556 N. McDonough St. in downtown Decatur, Georgia, 30030. The class starts promptly at 2 p.m. and ends about 5:15. Men who arrive late will not be able to enter class.

For more information, please call our office at (404) 270-9894.

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The Men Stopping Violence 24-Week Course

Men Stopping Violence conducts a 24-week course for men who have used abusive and controlling behaviors against women. This course is also available to all men who are interested in exploring the issue of violence against women and how they can choose to be part of the solution.

Men will have the opportunity to experience, in the presence of other men, alternatives to abusive and controlling behaviors in a classroom structure. Classes are open-ended and are designed to challenge participants to own and change their abusive behaviors.

Before being accepted into the 24-week course, a man must attend an Information Meeting and go through an Application Interview, as described below.

The Information Meeting

Men Stopping Violence offers an Information Meeting for men who have used abusive and controlling behaviors against a woman, as well as for men who are interested in learning about how these behaviors impact women’s lives. This is the first step that a man takes before he enrolls in the Men Stopping Violence 24-week course.

The goal of this meeting is to inform the community about the workings of Men Stopping Violence, including what is necessary for a man to enroll in one of our 24-week classes.

The Information Meeting covers:

• Why MSV exists
• Who batters and why
• The connection between sexism, racism, and homophobia
• Why men come to us
• The importance of men taking responsibility for their actions
• A presentation by a Community Restoration Program participant, who recounts his worse incident of abuse
• Information about the classes
• Expectations, contracts and accountability
• Cost: An investment in safety and justice
• Application interviews
• Class manual
• Class materials
• Questions and answers

The Information Meeting is from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on the following dates in 2008: January 3, 17 and 31; February 21; March 6 and 20; April 3 and 17; May 1, 15 and 29; June 12 and 26; July 10 and 24; August 7 and 21; September 4 and 18; October 2, 16 and 30; November 13; December 4 and 18. The cost is $20. Men are required to be on time; be alcohol and drug free the day of the meeting; and to bring pencil and paper. Upcoming Information Meeting dates will be announced. For questions about the Information Meeting, please contact Men Stopping Violence at (404) 270-9894. Get directions to Men Stopping Violence.

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Application Interview

The Application Interview is an opportunity for men to begin the long process of taking responsibility for the abusive behavior they have used to control and dominate women. After attending the Information Meeting, the Application Interview is the next step for a man who chooses to enter the 24-week course. The interview determines whether or not a man is serious about wanting to change and take responsibility for his actions.

The interview generally takes one hour and costs $65. If the interview takes more than one hour there will be another $65 charge.

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Before a man enrolls in the 24-week course, he signs a contract to do the following:

• Attend all 24 weeks (two hours per week)
• Be on time
• Actively participate
• Read weekly
• Make weekly contacts with other men in class
• Refrain from any type of physical abuse
• Report any use of controlling behavior weekly
• Be responsible for payment of class tuition
• In addition, there are consequences built into the program for men who make the choice to physically re-abuse.

Classes are conducted on Monday (6-8 p.m.), Wednesday and Thursday evenings (6:30-8:30 p.m.). Men may select which class best fits their schedule. Men are responsible for purchasing a class manual, notebook, and reading materials.

The tuition for this 24-week course is $980. It can be paid in weekly or monthly installments. Poor and indigent men are eligible for a reduced fee. For more information, please call (404) 270-9894.

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Community Restoration Program

The Community Restoration Program (CRP) provides a setting in which men who have successfully completed our 24-week men’s intervention program can 1) continue to give and receive support to change abusive behaviors, 2) complete community projects as a way to give back, 3) encourage other men in the program to stay connected and continue to receive support for change, 4) educate the community about violence against women.

Men Stopping Violence has provided some form of the CRP since 1987. Without resources allocated in the budget for CRP, it has been fit in around the instructors’ demanding schedule but has been successful. Dedicating resources to this project will result in men who have been through our intervention program working strategically in the community to end men’s violence against women.

For more about the Community Restoration Program, click here. Inquiries should be directed to Dick Bathrick at (404) 270-9894, ext. 21, or via e-mail dbath@menstoppingviolence.org.

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Critical to our social justice work are the presentations and conversations we engage in with community-based organizations: parent-teacher associations, civic clubs, faith groups, students, etc. While these groups may not be directly involved in the work to end violence against women, they are important allies in establishing community norms that say violence against women will not be tolerated. We are interested in listening to their experiences and sharing ours.

The demand to speak to these groups is high and we are not able to satisfy every request. We are committed to doing a percentage of these presentations without charge, as funding allows. However, we do request donations or honoraria when possible. Please refer to Training and Consultation, or contact Ulester Douglas at (404) 270-9894 for additional information.