NCJ Number
181738
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2000 Pages: 311-331
Date Published
March 2000
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The "Choosing Non-Violence" program examined in this article originated from a domestic violence organization but attempts to bridge the separation between generic violence prevention and domestic violence prevention.
Abstract
This study derived from the author's observations of four separate training workshops in "choosing nonviolence" given for various audiences between 1995 and 1998. In addition, the study used printed materials from the training packets given to participants, documents from program records, and interview data. As part of ongoing evaluation research, the author used participant observation, interviews (individual and group), and a mailed survey. Much of the data presented in this article are from the mailed survey to past participants. The survey sought to determine the staying power of the training. The training is tailored to specific audiences but has the following consistent themes and issues that form the core: defining violence, the dynamics and effects of family violence, gender messages, media, communication, stress, discipline, and implementation practices. Although this research cannot measure the effectiveness of the training in impacting long-term behavior, it does indicate that some participants did understand the feminist message of this generic violence prevention program. When respondents were asked what they were doing now and how they have changed, their responses were mostly concerned with parent-child relationships. The fact that participants in this training were focusing their new ways of behaving on their children is a hopeful sign. 4 notes and 15 references