Uomini che usano violenza contro le donne

nelle relazioni di intimità: strategie di intervento a

confronto

11 luglio 2007 ore 9 - Bologna

ATV

ALTERNATIVE TO VIOLENCE

A professional research and treatment centre in Norway for violent offenders and people witnessing or being exposed to violence. ATV is located in Oslo, Drammen, Langesund and Tønsberg (Norway) and also in Mariehamn (Åland), Täby (Sweden) and Roskilde (Denmark)

ATV is an NGO with funding from several municipalities, the Norwegian government and from other organizations/legacies

ATV started in 1987, as the first European treatment centre for male batterers.

ATV has 3 main goals:-Treatment -Education -Research

BASIC VALUES

Basic values- ATV

Equality between women and menViolence is gender-specificThe perpetrator is responsible for the violenceViolence is always dangerous and damagingViolence creates powerlessness and is also an attempt to

reduce powerlessnessViolence in the family is violence towards childrenViolence is misuse of powerViolence is a criminal offenceViolence is not “blind”Violence is not an illness

WHY?

WHY WORK WITH MEN’S VIOLENCE?

- Violence against women exists-Men have to take responsibility for their use of violence- Women, children & men are suffering, they need the violence to stop- Violence is a problem in all levels of society- Socio-economic costs

DO MEN SEEK HELP?

WHEN DO MEN SEEK HELP: 95% SELF-REFERRED (in terms of not being court ordered). 60 % taking the contact themselves

In a crisis related to the sense of loss of control:

•Partner leaving him•Neighbours or officials breaking the silence and invisibility•Becoming afraid of himself, of his own actions (use of serious violence)

COURT REFERRALS (not common in Norway). Dilemma: Should treatment be an alternative to punishment?

MENS EXPANATIONS

How does the man explain his own violence?

Externalising – blaming others (partner, alcohol, etc.)

2. Denial – the violence has not happened

3. Minimisation – “it was only a little quarrel, I barely touched her”

4. Fragmentation – “mostly I’m a good guy, I have only slapped her a couple of times”

Why are these strategies used? It makes the violence possible. Guilt and shame cause active repression of the violent incidents and so the violence will no longer seem to be a problem, or even to have existed.

DEFINITION OF VIOLENCE

“Violence is any act directed against another person, where this act either harms, hurts or offends in a way that

makes the person do something against his/her will or stop doing

something that he/she would like to do”

(Isdal, 2000)

VIOLENCE

Physical violence – violence including physical contact, includes use of weaponsPsychological violence

-Direct threats-Indirect threats-Degrading behaviour-Pathological jealousy-Controlling behaviour-Isolating behaviour

Material violence – to hit doors, windows, tables, destroy property, throw objects/food etc.Sexualised violence – from sexual harassment or use of verbal force to achieve intercourse, to rape Latent violence – violence due to violence. Example: because of a physically violent act 10 years ago his partner still does not express her opinions nor can she act freely

TREATMENT PRINCIPLES

Treatment principles:1. FOCUS ON VIOLENCE-Detailed and expanding reconstruction of the violence (behaviour)

2. FOCUS ON RESPONSIBILITY-Focus on choices and intentions. Get in touch with own need for control and own control strategies (responsibility)

3. FOCUS ON THE CLIENT’S PERSONAL HISTORY-Re-establish the connection between own “life learning” on masculinity, manhood, attitudes towards women etc, childhood experiences, significant aspects of adult coping strategies and the use of violence (connections)

4. RECOGNISING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE VIOLENCE -Empathy with the victims (partner/children) of the violence. Recognising the pain inflicted on others (consequences)

VIOLENT MEN AS FATHERS

Work with the men’s images of themself as a fathers

• How the violence is affecting the child - father relationship • How the violence is affecting the child - mother relationship

• How the child is affected by the violence – both on a short term and long term basis

• Educate the men on the basic needs of children within a developmental perspektive – and how the presence of violence is obstructing the coverage of these needs.

Helping men?

Helping men must help families!

When a man goes into treatment: - Offer of counseling, security planning or therapy to women- Help for children witnessing violence (groups for children)

VIOLENCE AGAINST MOTHERS ARE VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN !!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Per Isdal & Marius Råkil Alternative to ViolenceAddress: Lilletorget 1, 0184 Oslo, NorwayTelephone: +47-22114010Fax: +47-22114011E-mail: per@atv-stiftelsen.no

marius@atv-stiftelsen.no