TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --
A course on the roots of domestic violence and ways to
conquer it began this week at the Tinker Chapel’s Religious Education Building.
The base’s Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate will teach the
“Power to Change” classes from 2 to
3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, over a seven-week period. Though the initial class is
limited to women with base access, the DAVA said she would like to hear from
men on their interest in a course.
Potential students could include victims/survivors of
abuse, concerned friends, family members, co-workers or anyone wanting to learn
more about domestic violence.
“The class will help in the understanding of what domestic
violence is, how it affects those people around us to include our families and
children, building and maintaining healthy boundaries, coping with the effects
of domestic violence and recovery from domestic violence,” the DAVA said.
If interested, contact the Family Advocacy Program at
582-6604 to sign up. Attendees can take all seven classes, or speak to the DAVA
regarding topics that interest them, the DAVA said. A second seven-week course
is tentatively set to begin in November.
Class topics are as follows:
Week 1: An explanation of the expectations, rights
and confidentiality issues surrounding domestic abuse; an introduction to types
of domestic violence, power and control, risk factors, cycle of violence, as
well as topics requested by the participants.
Week 2: Explores why victims have a hard
time leaving an abusive situation and may include the activity “Understanding
the Leaving Process.” It also begins discussion on how violence can affect the
family, including children exposed to domestic violence.
Week 3: Examine what boundaries are and how they
can be used positively and negatively; addressing the links between unhealthy
boundaries and domestic violence; the importance and dangers of asserting
boundaries.
Week 4: Discussion on coping with the feelings of
grief, fear, guilt and anger that accompany abusive relationships; discussion
on effectively managing these feelings and overcoming the feelings.
Week 5: Addressing assertiveness and using the
boundaries previously learned; understanding the difference between
assertiveness and aggression; understanding how to maintain safety while being
assertive.
Week 6: Discussion of the value of self-esteem,
results of low self-esteem, the difference between low and high self-esteem and
how to increase self-esteem.
Week 7: Identifying what is important to the
individual, healthy boundaries, understanding red flags and roles to maintain
healthy relationships.