A 24-Week Court-Approved Program 404-503-8069
The Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) is a 24-week court-approved program designed to address family violence and promote accountability among offenders. FVIPs can be operated by a variety of agencies, including government entities, community organizations, and educational institutions, reflecting the diverse nature of organizations involved in providing these services.
The primary focus of FVIP is to ensure victim safety and participant accountability. Trained advocates play a crucial role in supporting victims, ensuring their safety, and coordinating compliance with the program requirements.
FVIP is based on the Duluth Model and provides education and intervention services to help participants recognize abusive behaviors and develop healthier relationship skills. The program is designed to enhance participants’ ability to understand and regulate their emotions, leading to positive behavior change.
The structure of FVIP includes group sessions, educational components, and regular progress monitoring. FVIP is one of several intervention programs available for addressing family violence, each with specific requirements and standards.
Certification and oversight of FVIPs are managed by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, which sets standards for program operation and facilitator qualifications. Ongoing training for staff and facilitators is essential to ensure program quality and compliance with state standards.
FVIP provides participants with resources and support to facilitate behavior change, equipping them with the tools needed to build healthier relationships and prevent future violence.
Program Overview
The Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) is a comprehensive, court-approved, 24-week program designed to address the complex issues surrounding domestic violence and family violence. Certified by the state and recognized by courts, FVIP is a vital part of a coordinated community response to intimate partner violence and other forms of abuse. The program is often mandated for individuals following a violation of the Family Violence Act, ensuring that those who have engaged in violent or abusive behavior are given the opportunity—and responsibility—to change.
FVIP classes are grounded in the Duluth Model, a nationally respected approach to family violence intervention. This model emphasizes education services that focus on anger management, violence intervention, and the development of healthy, respectful relationships. Throughout the program, participants engage in structured sessions that challenge harmful behaviors and beliefs, while learning practical skills to manage anger and prevent future abuse.
The top priorities of the Family Violence Intervention Program are victim safety and participant accountability. Every aspect of the program is designed to protect victims and support the well-being of all family members. By holding participants accountable for their actions and providing them with the tools to change, FVIP helps break the cycle of violence and promotes lasting, positive change.
Through a supportive group environment, individuals are encouraged to reflect on their behavior, understand the impact of their actions, and commit to non-violence. The program’s focus on education, intervention, and accountability not only benefits participants, but also strengthens families and the broader community. By completing FVIP, individuals take an important step toward safer, healthier lives for themselves and those around them.
Family Violence Intervention Program
A 24-Week Court-Approved Program 404-503-8069
The State of Georgia requires that all individuals who receive a Family Violence charge complete the 24-week Family Violence Intervention Program. FVIP providers must be certified by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, and will appear on their website. Do not enroll in a program that does not appear on this list.
The Diversion Center is certified to teach FVIP in Cobb and Gwinnett counties. To begin the process, FVIP participants must first complete an intake/orientation. During this intake, participants will schedule their classes, choose a day to attend, decide when they will start, receive their workbook, and be enrolled in the class. The cost and fees for the program will be discussed during intake, including information about payment methods and any sliding scale options. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday by appointment. Assessments are conducted by licensed counselors who follow state guidelines. To learn more about our other locations, including the Fayetteville office, visit our website.
Domestic Violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm. Family or household members include spouses / former spouses, those in (or formerly in) a dating relationship, adults related by blood or marriage, and those who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship.
The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors, including intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, and isolation to coerce and to control the other person. The violence may not happen often, but may remain a hidden and constant terrorizing factor. Domestic violence is not only physical and sexual violence but also psychological. Psychological violence means intense and repetitive degradation, creating isolation, and controlling the actions or behaviors of the spouse through intimidation or manipulation to the detriment of the individual.
Successful completion of the program is required by the court, and participants must demonstrate compliance with all attendance and participation requirements. Individuals may be referred to the program by the court or other agencies. Classes and assessments are conducted in accordance with state standards.
Domestic violence destroys the home. No one deserves to be abused. The responsibility for the violence belongs to the abuser. It is not the victim’s fault!
Men:
Thursday 7pm-8:30pm (Each class is an hour and a half long.)
Saturday 12pmam-1:30pm (Each class is an hour and a half long.)
Symptoms of Abuse – Misuse of Power And Control
Abuse in a relationship is any act used to gain power and control over another person. Women who are abused physically are often isolated. Their partners tend to control their lives to a great extent as well as verbally degrade them.
Participation in the program may come with limited contact with certain individuals as part of compliance requirements.
Listed below are some of the warning signs of domestic abuse. Look to see if there are multiple warning signs that are occurring in your life. These lists are not all-inclusive.
Physical and Sexual Abuse
- Hair pulling
- Biting
- Shaking
- Pushing
- Pinching
- Choking
- Kicking
- Confinement
- Slapping
- Hitting
- Deprivation of food or sleep
Economic Abuse
- Preventing them from getting or keeping a job
- Making them ask for money
- Giving them an allowance
- Taking their money
- Not letting them know about or have access to family income
- Not allowing them a voice in important financial decisions
- Demanding exclusive control over household finances.
Using Intimidation
- Making then afraid by using looks, gestures, or actions
- Throwing or smashing things, destroying property
- Abusing pets
- Dangerous driving
- Displaying weapons
Using Isolation
- Controlling what they do, who they see, what they read, & where they go
- Limiting their outside involvement
- Refusing to let them learn to drive, go to school, or get a job
- Not allowing them to freely use the car or the telephone.
Emotional Abuse
- Insulting in public or in private
- Putting down their friends and family
- Making them feel bad about themselves
- Calling them names
- Making them think they’re crazy
- Playing mind games
- Humiliating them
- Making them feel guilty
- Treating them like a servant
- Making all the big decisions
- Defining men’s and women’s roles.
Using Coercion and Threats
- Making or carrying out threats to do something to hurt them
- Threatening to leave them, or to commit suicide
- Threatening to report them to welfare
- Making them drop charges
- Making them do illegal things.
Using Children
- Making them feel guilty about the children
- Using the children to relay messages
- Using visitation to harass them
- Threatening to take the children away
Using Jealousy and Blame
- Minimizing, Denying, Blaming
- Making light of the abuse and not taking her concerns about it seriously
- Checking up on where they’ve been or who they’ve talked to
- Accusing them of infidelity
- Saying the abuse didn’t happen
- Shifting responsibility for abusive behavior
- Saying she caused it.
Why Get Help?
The danger is real.
If you are controlling or have a controlling partner, don’t ignore these behaviors. They are not the result of stress, anger, drugs or alcohol. They are learned behaviors that one person uses to dominate, intimidate and manipulate. They are destructive and dangerous.
If the abuse continues without outside help, the abusing partner may risk being arrested, going to jail, or losing the relationship. Domestic violence hurts all family members. When a person is abusive he or she eventually loses the trust and respect of his or her partner. Abused partners are afraid to communicate their feelings and needs. As a consequence of abuse, individuals may be required to attend an anger management program as part of their intervention, in addition to other treatment options. Legal restrictions may also be imposed, making abusers unable to contact their victims. Everyone has the right to feel safe in a relationship. With help, people who are abusive can learn to be non-violent.
Learn the Warning Signs
Disagreements develop from time to time in relationships. Domestic violence is not a disagreement. It is a whole pattern of behaviors used by one partner to establish and maintain power and control over the other. These behaviors can become more frequent and intense over time.
The abusive person is responsible for these behaviors. That person is the only one who can change them. Court orders may prohibit any violent contact between the abuser and the victim. Contact with the victim may also be restricted or regulated as part of intervention program requirements. Don’t wait until you and the ones you love get hurt. You Are Not Alone. Consider getting some help. Talk with friends about your situation.
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) – voice or 1-800-787-3224 – TTY – elsewhere in the U.S
For more information about the Georgia Commission on Family Violence or the Family Violence Intervention Program, visit their website here.
