Battering is an act of control by one intimate partner or relative over another. It may involve physical or non-physical violence. Battering should be recognized, not as a mere response to anger, but as a strategy for maintaining power in a relationship.

It is estimated that nationally acts of domestic violence occur once every 18 seconds. In Illinois, it is estimated that between 100,000 to 300,000 acts of domestic violence are committed annually. In DuPage County, between 300 and 350 incidents of domestic violence are estimated to occur each month.

Treating victims addresses only half of the equation. To decrease domestic violence immediately and to lower the learning and repeating of abusive behaviors across generations, perpetrators must receive treatment as well.

• Abuse occurs in all races, economic classes, and educational levels.

• 94% of victims are females.

• 31% of the women murdered in this country are killed by their significant others.

• It is estimated that 40% of homeless families in large cities are fleeing violence in their homes.

• Men who abuse their partners are 50-70% more likely to also abuse their children.

• Families in which alcoholism is a problem, in comparison to families in which it is not, show a much higher incidence of physical child abuse - 31% to 9%- and spouse abuse- 38% to 6%.

DuPage County provides treatment programs for Domestic Violence perpetrators. The programs include Evaluation, Treatment Groups. The programs are designed to provide clients with communication skills, self awareness and coping skills. The National Association of Counties with an Achievement Award recognized this DuPage County Domestic Violence Perpetrator Program for Outstanding and Innovative County Programming.

• Help clients change the underlying belief system that leads to abusive attitudes and behaviors.
• Explore the social causes of violence and its relationship to power and control.
• Replace physically, verbally, and emotionally abusive behavior with noncontrolling and nonviolent communication and coping skills.
• Learn to accept personal responsibility for abusive behavior.

• Clients attend an Intake Assessment prior to admission to the program.
• Completion of the program requires attendance and participation in 26 weekly group sessions. Sessions are 1 1/2 hours each.

• The program is available in both English and Spanish.
• The Women's Program is available for court-ordered female arrestees.
• Group size is limited to 15 members.
• Weekly group sessions are scheduled on weekday evenings or Friday mornings.
• Case monitoring of court-ordered clients residing elsewhere.

Intake Assessment $120
Each weekly session $ 30

*Sliding scales are available for those who qualify, and for those with a court-determined Indigent status.

For information call: 630-407-6400.