New Choices—Domestic Violence Intervention
CVIC’s New Choices program addresses the complexities of intimate relationships and is a deliberate and purposeful intervention that challenges the beliefs behind the use of violence and abuse within relationships.
Contact New Choices
701-317-5051
Fee Payment
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GROUP INFORMATION
The men’s and women’s groups are held separately and meet once per week either in the morning or evening. Group sizes are limited, so participants may be added to a waiting list.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
- Encourages participants to reflect on harmful behaviors that have occurred within their intimate relationships.
- Invites participants to take responsibility for healing the impacts of violence they have experienced as well as take responsibility for any violence they have used.
- A confidential group to discuss with other participants who have similar experiences.
- Opportunity to take steps towards safety and healing for themselves and those around them.
INTAKE PROCESS
Participants meet one-on-one with staff for up to two hours. During the intake session, staff gather information regarding the participant’s childhood, self-reported history of violence and/or abusive behaviors, mental health status and/or substance usage, and personal beliefs regarding factors that contribute to the use of violence.
COST
Intake Session: $50
Group Sessions: $5-30/Session based on a sliding fee scale
NEW CHOICES MEN’S GROUPS
We currently use Creating a Process of Change for Men Who Batter, from Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, and Addressing Fatherhood with Men Who Batter, developed by Advocates for Family Peace. During the 27 sessions we follow a 3-week cycle:
- Week 1: Introduce equality and reflect on how behaviors impact their partner, children, and others;
- Week 2: Explore tactics and related beliefs, and how behaviors impact their partner, children, and others;
- Week 3: Discuss ways to use non-controlling behavior in intimate relationships by reflecting on discussions in weeks 1 and 2.
“I now understand that I have a lot to learn in life and that I had values that don’t reflect the person who I wish to be. Prior to starting the New Choices program, I didn’t see an issue with my views. I thought we all thought the same thing. That men were the leaders. That men are worth what they have in their pocket. That work came before family and a man was measured on what he could provide. I now understand that work and social life is not everything in life. That it is okay to be vulnerable it is okay to let others know you love them and that it is okay if I don’t have control over the situation and it’s okay that I am wrong. It was my belief that I already knew what my facilitators were going to talk about. I just had to show up, smile and say yes. However, to my surprise, and a great one that is, the New Choices program made me realize I had a lot of reflecting to do. I had a lot of looking back and realizing that I was in the wrong. I had to realize that I burnt the bridges. That I was raised wrong, that my morals were not correct. That I have to make new choices and open my eyes to the harm and mistreatment of others that I’ve caused throughout my life by putting myself first and them second. Quite frankly, I think I’m taking more than my facilitators even know I’m taking. All I can say is thank you for listening, thank you for not judging.”
—New Choices Men’s Group Participant
Men’s Group Meetings
Note: You will be assigned one of the following based on your schedule and group availability.
Monday
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday
9 – 10:30 a.m.
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Meeting Times
- Thursdays: 5:30–7 p.m.
NEW CHOICES WOMEN’S GROUPS
We currently use Curriculum for Justice-Involved Women and Gender-Diverse People from the Family Peace Initiative. During the 27-session program, participants explore the relationships between abusive behavior, adverse emotions, and personal beliefs.
The group process offers participants introspection opportunities to understand the motivations for their behavior and how to take steps toward safety and healing for themselves and those around them.
“It is nice to have a safe place where I can be me and have people to listen and give feedback. I hope that everyone that has to do it comes in with an open mind and gets what they can out of it. We are all adults and feel like we’re right all the time, but you can still change if you want to.”
—New Choices Women’s Group Participant