Journey Beyond Abuse

Groups meet weekly in

Call the county outreach office in which you live for time and location.

Is there a Cost?   

What about Child Care?        

What Topics will be Covered in the Groups?

1. Beginnings

• Introduction to Group
• Defining Abuse
• Patterns of Abuse
• What Keeps Women in Abusive Relationships?
• Emotional Abuse
• Anger About Abuse

 

2. The Impact of Abuse

• My Most Hurtful Incident
• Impact of Negative Messages
• Common Experiences of Battered Women
• Impact of Abuse on Children

3. Abuse Issues for Women

• Assertiveness
• Boundaries
• Women and Sexuality
• Questions about men who batter women

4. Responses to Abuse

• Shame and guilt
• Grief and loss
• Depression

5. Looking into the Future

• Self care
• Healthy relationships

6. Ending the Group -- Closing session

Program Principles

• Abuse is a learned behavior that has negative consequences for women and children.
• Abuse is reinforced by our society.
• Abuse can be passed on from generation to generation.
• There is no justification for abuse.
• Women are not responsible for a partner's abusive behavior — nor can they control it.
• Chemical abuse and domestic violence are two separate issues that need to be addressed separately.
• Initially, issues of abuse need to be addressed in a setting that is separate and safe from the abusive person.
• Each woman has her own answers and timing for addressing issues related to abuse.