What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is abuse or threats of abuse when the person is being abused and the abuser are or have been in an intimate relationship (married or domestic partners, are dating or used to date, live or lived together, or have a child together). It is also when the abused person and the abusive person are closely related by blood or by marriage.
The domestic violence laws say “abuse” is:
- Physically hurting or trying to hurt someone, intentionally or recklessly;
- Sexual assault;
- Making someone reasonably afraid that they or someone else are about to be seriously hurt (like threats or promises to harm someone); OR
- Behavior like harassing, stalking, threatening, or hitting someone; disturbing someone’s peace; or destroying someone’s personal property.
The physical abuse is more than hitting, it includes being emotionally and verbally abusive, preventing the person from eating, sleeping, medical care, shoving, restraining, stalking, intimidation, pulling hair, throwing items near or directly at the person, breaking the person’s belongings, and violent acts against the family pet. The overall goal is to maintain control and power over the other individual.
Punishment for Domestic Violence
A criminal conviction for domestic battery or criminal threats in California may result in jail, large fines, mandatory domestic violence counseling sessions which meet two (2) hours weekly for a minimum of one year, mandatory alcohol education classes, personal conduct orders, stay away orders, temporary restraining orders, and other punishments as instructed in Penal Code Section 1203.097.
ASANTE Family Agency offers a comprehensive Domestic Program that meets the legal and court requirements.
Domestic Violence Program
ASANTE Batter/Domestic Violence Intervention/Program Learning Objectives:
- Violence
- Defining Domestic Violence
- Know the Dynamics of Domestic Violence
- Impact of children who witness domestic violence
- Impact of domestic violence upon the victim
- Societal and Community Response: The Legal System including Criminal, Family and Juvenile
- Dependency
- Lethality Assessments and Safety Planning
- Dynamics and Characteristics of Perpetrator Substance Abuse
- Management of Mental and Emotional Issues that include:
- Stress
- Anger control
- Depression, Anxiety and other mood disturbances
- Relations Enhancement
- Healthy Intimate Relationships
- Healthy Parenting and Fatherhood
- Effective/Assertive Communication
- Education, Career and Economic Education
- Education and Career Assessment
- Entrepreneurial/Self-Employment
- Money management
ASANTE Family Agency Domestic Violence Program is for you if:
You have been:
- ordered by the Court to complete a twelve(12) or fifty-two (52) week program for domestic violence intervention and counseling
- given a date to return to Court and provide proof that you have enrolled in one of the certified programs
- required to complete a court certified program
Intake Process
The intake process
When you call ASANTE Family Agency will be scheduled an intake interview as soon as possible generally within one week. The interview provides the group facilitator the opportunity to assess your ability to benefit from the Domestic Violence Program at ASANTE Family Agency and will give you a chance to ask any questions. Upon request, you will receive a letter to submit to the Court, Probation or Parole Officer that you have completed
Fees
Call ASANTE Family Agency for service fees
Remember: The Court does not consider the program completed until you have successfully attended all sessions and you have paid your bill in full. Failure to enroll in or complete one of these programs may result in revocation of probation and could subject you to time in jail.
Monthly Reporting
ASANTE provides reports, as requested.