1. How do I know if my behavior is considered Domestic Abuse?
Domestic Violence is the repeated abusive behavior by one person in a relationship to control another. It can mean physical aggression as well harassment, stalking, domineering, intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation.
An individual does not necessarily need to be physically abusive to be considered an abuser, but can be someone who is completely controlling over bank accounts and all money that is spent, someone who prevents a partner from speaking with family or friends, or someone who uses putdowns and name-calling for intimidation purposes. It also describes an intimate partner who won’t give you personal freedom. He follows you places against your will.
2. The Statistics on Domestic Abuse in the U.S. are staggering.
Domestic Abuse causes more injuries to women in the U.S. then car accidents, muggings and rapes combined. Women are generally on the receiving end of domestic violence. One in every four women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime. Women from 20 – 24 years of age are the most likely to be abused. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical abuse by an intimate partner each year. Tragically, about 3 women are murdered by partners each day. Studies show that up to 10 million children observe some form of domestic violence each year.
3. Do parts of the country experience more cases of Domestic Violence than others?
Intimate partner violence is at epidemic proportions affecting all races, religions and nationalities. However, studies show that people making below $25,000 annually are at a 3-times higher risk of intimate partner violence than people with income over $50,000. Individuals with lower income levels are more likely to report a domestic assault. Statistics also show that occupants of urban areas reported more domestic abuse than in suburban areas. Furthermore, African-American women face higher numbers of domestic violence than white women, and American-Indian women are abused at a rate more than double that of women of other races. Unfortunately, only about 50% of domestic violence incidents are reported.
4. I’m worried about the impact of this abuse on our kids.
Studies estimate that 3 to 10 million children witness the abuse of a loved one each year. There are definitely increased risks for children who live with domestic violence in their homes. These risks include being physically abused, mentally intimidated, neglected and exposed to violence. Children in this environment tend to have higher levels of aggression, disobedience, anger, depression, fear and anxiety. It is important that children are protected from this behavior by either permanent removal from the situation or by having the abuser take DV classes for change and reform.
5. Are you ready to take control of your angry behavior? Have family, friends or coworkers complained about your temper?
The purpose of the class is to educate the participant about issues related to domestic assault with the goal of stopping the behavior. The program teaches what exactly domestic violence is, how to recognize the signs, how to gain skills in communication and how to develop a plan for change. People who have taken the course report that they learned how to take ownership of their behavior and change their lives for the better.
6. The court has mandated that I take a Domestic Violence class. Where should I start?
If you have been assigned a domestic violence class court requirement, then taking our Domestic Violence Class online is for you. It is often difficult to add one more thing to your busy schedule because of time constraints and travel distances. This online class contains the same information found in traditional classrooms but is available to you from any web-based computer.
7. There are so many online courses to choose from, how do I know which one is the best?
There are many people who claim to be professionals. Be sure to choose a class designed by a practicing, licensed therapist. Look for someone like Dr. Ari Novick who has expertise in the field of anger and stress management since these are topics directly involved with domestic abuse. Dr. Novick has also been trained in drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention, socialization skills, legal awareness, communication and problem solving techniques, conflict management and resolution, assertion training, and is a certified anger management facilitator and trainer. Dr. Novick has combined all of these skills to create a quality, interesting and educational program for his Domestic Violence Class clients.
8. How do I know if my jurisdiction will accept these classes?
While we have a very high success rate for court approval, we don’t guarantee that every jurisdiction will accept them. Different counties and states have different laws regarding online classes. It’s the client’s responsibility to speak with their court system to get approval prior to taking the class. Taking a few minutes to ask for court approval will save you commuting time, money for gas and parking, and the potential of having to miss work to make specific class times.
9. What if I pay for and start the class, and then have questions?
We welcome any comments, concerns or inquiries. Dr. Novick is available to directly speak with Monday – Friday, 9-5 PST at (949) 715-2694. Or, please e-mail him at
[email protected] for a response within 24 hours.
10. How long do I have to finish the class?
Our classes are meant to be self-paced. You can log-in and out as many times as you wish and the computer holds your spot. We don’t mandate an end time. Your deadline is based on your court requirements and how quickly you would like to get it done. For example, you can sit down and get the 8 hour class done in one day, or log-in for a half an hour a day over the period of a few weeks.
11. Who will know I am taking this class?
This is a totally anonymous situation. Online classes are unlike classrooms in that nobody else sees you are attending. The only people who need to know are your legal advisors and the court system. You will never receive any unsolicited phone calls from our company. Our state of the art online security system protects all your personal identification information.
