DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1.) Domestic violence is a crime

2.) Domestic violence is about power and control

3.) The perpretrator of the violence is solely responsible for his behavior

4.) Violence is a learned behavior and new behaviors can be learned

5.) While alcohol/drug use is associated with violence, it is not a cause, they are seperate issues and must be addressed as such

6.) Counseling for the victim or marital counseling is not appropiate to address the violence

7.) Perpetrators of domestic violence tend to minimize and deny their use of violence and blame the victim and other outside factors for their violence

8.) Treatment of the abuser involves challenging the beliefs that support and justify the use of violence

9.) Victim safety is the priority along with abuser accountability

10.) Violence is a choice

*Information was collected from the 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training Manual Provided by Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC)*

BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!