Cuyahoga Falls Court Based Violence Impact Program

A new and exciting collaboration has recently been launched with the cooperation and support of the Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court.

The Violence Impact Program is used to educate first time offenders of Domestic Violence, Assault, and Disorderly Conduct. Group classes are held as a means to educate the alleged offenders and victims who have appeared in the Cuyahoga Falls Courts. Information presented includes the impact that a few minutes of anger, abuse, and/or violence can have on their lives and the lives of those around them.

There is no definitive description of a person who becomes violent. He/she may come from any economic, ethnic, racial or religious background. They may be well-educated and successful. There are, however, some similarities. Most violent offenders have themselves been the victims of, or have witnessed, violence and abuse while they were growing up. But countless men who have had troubled and violent childhoods do not abuse their partners. The batterer can choose an alternative to engaging in violent behavior.

This message needs to be given to the offenders of violent crimes at the earliest possible time in their criminal lives. We need to reach out to provide information to the offenders so that they might choose to stop their future violence by getting help at the earliest possible time. Offenders need to be challenged NOT TO blame or control their partners, but instead they need to take responsibility for their own actions.

As long as a violence offender will not accept responsibility for his or her actions, seeks to place blame elsewhere, and/or denies there is any problem, the violent behavior will continue. This program is the first step for many in that important process.

Co-facilitated with staff of the Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Courts Probation Department, this class is current held ___ times per month.