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

Men Stopping Violence has begun offering parenting classes that specifically address the special needs of families in which battering has destroyed the fabric of healthy parent-child relationships. MSV is providing parenting courses for an at-risk population that is currently underserved. The program endeavors to prevent child abuse by teaching abusive or neglectful parents effective, non-violent, age-appropriate parenting skills.

The primary goal of this project is to provide perpetrators with vital parenting skills. The course will provide an opportunity to learn new skills in a setting that will emphasize a collaborative approach to providing positive guidance and creative limit setting for their children. This course is especially relevant to families for whom battering has resulted in the destruction of trust, patience, and creativity -- basic values from which effective parenting decisions are made. Fathers will learn constructive parenting skills so that they can set limits and teach responsibility without inducing feelings of fear, shame and humiliation in their children.

Instructors who have extensive experience in working with perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse will provide a stimulating and highly interactive experience for the participants through a combination of instructor-led presentation, small and large group problem solving exercises, role plays, and reading assignments. Instructors will create a supportive, non-judgmental learning environment that values the skills of each participant.