Reliable data including police reports, witness statements and emergency room reports indicate that men are the aggressors in over 90 percent of incidents of interpersonal violence. Many cases go unreported, and in Men Stopping Violence’s (MSV) view, many more behaviors that men use should be incorporated into the category of abusive behavior.
You don’t have to hit someone to abuse that person.
In fact, many men who come to MSV have never physically struck another person in a relationship. They have, however, used a wide range of controlling and abusive behaviors over a sustained period of time establishing a pattern.
For a more complete spectrum of abusive behaviors read the Violent and Controlling Behavior List at the bottom of the page. You may find behaviors on this list that you use that you never thought were abusive.
MSV offers a 24- week class that offers men alternatives to abusive and controlling behavior in their relationships. For more information, please see MSV’s 24-Week Educational Course. Tactics and Choices is a class offered in conjunction with the DeKalb County Magistrate Court for men who have been arrested for domestic violence offenses in DeKalb County. For more information call 404.270.9894.
Violent and Controlling Behavior List
Tactics & Choices
Men Stoppinng Violence, in conjunction with the DeKalb County Magistrate Court, provides a twice-monthly 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.
The 2013 class schedule is:
January 13th & 27th
February 10th & 24th
March 9th & 23rd
April 12nd & 26th
May 10th, 24th & 31st
June 14th & 28th
July 12th & 26th
August 9th & 23rd
September 6th & 20th
October 4th & 18th
November 1st & 15th
December 6th & 20th
The classes are at the DeKalb County Courthouse at 556 N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030. The class starts promptly at 2 p.m. and ends about 5:15 p.m. *The classes on June 4 and August 13 start promptly at 1 p.m. and end about 4:15 p.m. Men who arrive late will not be able to enter class.
For more information, please call 404.270.9894.
24-Week Educational Course
Men will have the opportunity to experience alternatives to abusive and controlling behaviors in a classroom structure. Classes are open-ended and are designed to support participants in owning and changing their abusive behaviors.
For 30 years, Men Stopping Violence (MSV) has conducted a 24-week educational course available to all men who are interested in exploring the issue of violence against women. This course is certified by the State of Georgia and covers how men can choose to be part of a movement to create safe communities for women and girls.
Before enrolling in the 24-week Educational Course: Men At Work, a man must attend an Information Session and go through an Application Interview, as described below.
Information Session
MSV offers information sessions to help men decide if they are interested in enrolling in the MSV 24-week course.
The session covers:
•Information about MSV and about the classes
•Expectations, contracts and accountability
•Cost: an investment in safety and justice
•Application interviews
•Questions and answers
The information session is from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the MSV office. Dates for 2013 are:
January 7 & 21st
February 4th & 18th
March 4th & 18th
April 1st, 15th & 29th
May 13th & 20th
June 3rd & 17th
July 1st, 15th & 29th
August 12nd & 26th
September 9th & 23rd
October 7th & 21st
November 4th & 18th
December 2nd & 26th
The cost is $20. Men are required to be on time, alcohol and drug-free on the day of the meeting and bring pencil and paper. For questions about the information session, please contact MSV at 404.270.9894.
Application Interview
After attending the information session, the Application Interview is the next step. This one-on-one interview determines whether or not a man is qualified to enter the 24-week course.
The interview generally takes approximately one hour.
24-Week Educational Course: Men At Work
The MSV 24-week course offers men the education and the tools they need to begin changing violent and abusive behavior. The course is for anyone who wants to live more peacefully, establish meaningful relationships in their lives, and create safe communities for women and girls. In this course, men will receive information about violence against women, interact with other men, and complete exercises that help deepen their understanding of ways to make healthy and safe choices. The course has three units, each with two to four lessons.
The units are:
•Defining the Problem
•The Impact of Male Violence Against Women
•Manhood Revisited
Classes are conducted on Monday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Men may select which class best fits their schedule.
For more information, please call 404.270.9894.
