The "critical content" of the Men's Living Without Violence Group Programme includes helping men to

• Become aware of dangerous behaviours, their purpose and function
• Become familiar with the "early warning signs of anger", including the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural indicators of increasing levels of anger and frustration
• Become familiar with anger reducing strategies, including a range of anger and frustration-releasing and relaxation strategies.
• Acknowledge the fear-provoking effect of all men's intimidating, threatening, and emotionally abusive behaviour.
• Have clear, contracted safety and interruption strategies, including having a planned and negotiated Time Out.
• Understand and acknowledge the purpose and range of men's violence, abuse and controlling behaviour.
• Become aware of the social and cultural supports for men's violence, abuse and controlling behaviours.
• Become familiar with the political, institutional and historical context of men's violence.
• Accept the reality of women and children's experience of their behaviour.
• Accept and admit responsibility for their behaviour and its effect and consequences
• Plan and practise new equality and respect based and supportive behaviour.
• Increase willingness and ability to hear the concerns and criticisms of others.
• Increase willingness and ability to listen and communicate supportively.

"An outstanding programme that has proven to be the most beneficial and most positive thing that I have done in a long, long time."

In addition to our Men's Living Without Violence Group Programmes, we also run Individual Men's Living Without Violence programmes. The purpose and critical content of these individual programmes are very similar to those of the Men's Living Without Violence Group Programmes (click on link for further details). Although research indicates that group Living Without Violence programmes are most effective for creating change in men's beliefs, attitudes and behaviour in the areas of moving from abusive, violent or controlling behaviour, at times individual programmes are more useful. The reasons that a man may benefit more from an individual programme than a group programme may include any one (or more) of the following:

• Language difficulties in a group programme (e.g. English is not a first language)
• Time-tabling difficulties, meaning regular attendance at a group is impossible
• Time-tabling difficulties, meaning regular attendance at a group is impossible
• Mental Health Issues, including severe depression, psychiatric illness, etc

Our individual programmes have been found to be extremely effective, with much positive feedback received, and with some people requesting further sessions to address issues which have not yet been fully covered in the individual programme (such as individual issues to do with personal past history, and so forth).

"This course is absolutely worth it because I have learned a lot about myself and how to control my anger. I can now stay in control and deal with the problem."