Men As Peacemakers is hosting a FREE Domestic Violence Restorative Circles (DVRC) Volunteer Training.
This is a 2 day training:
Friday February 15th from 4:30pm - 8:00pm (light snack provided)
and
Saturday February 16th from 9:00am- 3:00pm (snacks and lunch provided)
Location: Men as Peacemakers 123 W Superior Street Duluth, MN 55802
Learn more or RSVP by contacting:
Ashley Kohne
DVRC Volunteer and Circle Coordinator
218-727-1939 ext 105
ashley@menaspeacemakers.org
The Purpose of this training is to prepare volunteers to engage in the Domestic Violence Restorative Circles (DVRC) Program. The training will prepare volunteers to participate in Transition and Support Circles.
The training will include information on the dynamics of domestic violence and the circle process.
Below is a brief description of what Transition and Support Circles Are:
Transition Circles
- Transition circles are organized to provide support and accountability for offenders of domestic violence, who are, or have recently been incarcerated, and are transitioning back into the community.
- When an offender is accepted into the DVRC program, a Transition Circle (made up of community members), is organized to provide weekly support to them for an average of 6 months.
- Transition Circles meet once a week for two hours (for an average of 6 months)
- After a Transition circle is complete the circle will meet for 3 follow up circles. The follow up circles are once a month, for two hours (for 3 months)
- Transition Circles focus on holding an offender accountable for the violence they have committed while providing the social support necessary for the offender to change their thinking and behavior.
- The Transition Circle process provides the opportunity to identify issues and other factors that may exacerbate violence, such as, a family history of violence, chemical dependency, mental illness, sexism and socialization. Additionally, the Transition Circle process creates the opportunity for the offender to connect to community resources that can help reduce the impact those factors will have on future behavior.
- The goal at the end of a Transition Circles is to develop a contract that is adopted into the offender’s court and probation. The contract highlights steps the offender will take to repair the harm and develop a healthy, respectful and nonviolent lifestyle.
Support Circles
- When an offender is accepted into the DVRC program and has a Transition Circle organized for them, a Support Circle is offered to the Victims/Survivors of their violence.
- Support Circles focus on the needs and goals of the victim/survivor.
- Support Circles are guided by the victims/survivors wishes and are individualized to their needs. The length of the Support Circle is based on what the victim/survivor needs.
- Support Circles provide a space for the victim/survivor to talk about the impact of the violence perpetrated against them and provides opportunity for healing, as well as, discussions around future hopes and goals.
- Victims/Survivors are also offered advocacy support to aid in areas such as, safety planning, crisis intervention, legal assistance, connecting to resources, filing protective orders, attending court hearings and more.
