Dad in focus: anti-violence training for fathers who want to change!

Dad in focus: anti-violence training for fathers who want to change!

Since 2008, there has been an important offer in Lüneburg for men who want to actively deal with their violent behavior. The anti-violence training from Diakonie's “drobs” specialist center for addiction and addiction prevention is aimed at fathers who want to get their aggression towards partners or children under control. Participants from a wide range of social backgrounds and age groups come together as the group of 6 to 8 men organizes weekly meetings over a period of 26 weeks.

The program, which is supported by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs with 29,000 euros per year at eleven locations, culminates in an intensive examination of personal experiences with aggression within the family. The social worker Imke Peters and Albrecht von Bülow lead the group, which deals with topics such as communication patterns, role models and stress management. The participants work together to develop alternative courses of action and learn how to approach violent situations constructively. This practical approach helps them not only to change their behavior, but also to improve their relationships, especially with their children, as many participants report in retrospect.

Diverse content and methods

The training goes beyond looking at violence. It's about taking responsibility for your own behavior and understanding the causes of aggression. Content such as crime reconstruction, biographical work and the development of a protection concept are central components. In addition to the weekly sessions, a perpetrator consultation is offered, which is based on tips from the police. This opportunity is often used to seek help at an early stage and to clarify grievances.

The concept, based on a strong principle of separation of person and behavior, promotes an appreciative and humiliation-free atmosphere. Care is taken to ensure that the men learn to find non-violent conflict solutions and use de-escalation techniques in a protected space. Particularly important is the individual situation analysis, which helps the participants to identify their specific challenges and develop solutions.

Successful additional offers

In addition to group training, the initiative also offers coaching for stabilization after group training. This measure is particularly helpful for men who want to refresh and adapt the strategies they have learned after training. For the sponsoring organization's specialists, this means taking part in further training in order to always stay up to date with the latest de-escalation techniques and methods. The collaboration also aims to further promote the prevention of violence in social institutions, which has a long-term positive impact on society.

The positive changes cannot be overlooked: participants report better relationships with their relatives and an overall more stable life situation. Studies on similar programs and their effectiveness prove the relevance of such training - not only for the perpetrators themselves, but also for those around them. As the different content and approaches of the training show, dealing with aggression is an important step in the right direction.

The anti-violence training in Lüneburg is therefore a valuable component in violence prevention and, for many men, an important step towards experiencing the positive sides of fatherhood and living in a violence-free environment. More and more people are realizing how important it is to seek help early on and to take responsibility for their own actions. This shows that society is still addressing the issue of domestic violence and making progress.

The anti-violence training is running successfully and is an important starting point for men who are ready to deal with themselves. Soon there will be even more protected spaces for this valuable work to contribute to a more violent future.

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