Treatment for Abusive Men

Domestic violence will decline with continued awareness and intolerance for any form of abuse in society, communities and families.  I think one of the most powerful influences is when a friend or family member stands up to an abuser in an assertive but nonviolent way, especially when it is a male standing up to a male abuser. The most powerful tool we have at this time is education to promote prevention among future generations.  The more we teach younger generations, the least likely the cycle will continue.  In addition, health care professionals should be trained on how to assess patients for abuse, workplaces should have prevention program resources available, and all victims should have access to resources.  If we all practice no tolerance, abuse will decrease.

Abusers can change but, it takes hard work, commitment and effort.  Many abusers will promise to make changes only to disappoint their partner after their fear of losing control has gone.  Also, change will not happen overnight.  It takes a lifetime for an abuser to change his attitudes and beliefs about relationships and women. When a man commits to join a batterer's program, most of them drop out before the end and are not willing to do the work.  The abuser has to make this decision on his own and stick with his commitment in order to make changes in his life.  The best type of help for an abuser is an abuser program.  Couples or marriage counseling can be very dangerous for the victim in the relationship.  Some abuser programs can be extremely effective while others are not.  Make sure and ask questions about programs in your community.  There are many men who join these programs only to control their partner more effectively and they continue to be violent.