Quick Links: Overview Domestic Violence Services for Victims Sexual Assault Response Child Advocacy Center - Vantage Point Violence Response Councils Time Out Abuser Intervention Services Time Out Abuser Intervention Services Is your relationship unhealthy? click here and answer the questions. Family Services has been conducting Time-Out, a batter's treatment program, since 1985. Time-Out is a state certified, psycho-educational program that addresses issues regarding abuse and control in relationships. Studies have shown that with appropriate intervention, the abusive person can learn new attitudes and new ways to resolve conflict. However, it is important to understand that these classes are not a guarantee that someone who is abusive will stop their abusive and controlling behavior. The program is conducted by credentialed, trained staff and meets in a weekly group setting. The program aims to confront the abuser as to his/her level of responsibility for the abuse; address underlying attitudes that support abuse; examine and change beliefs about relationships; and teach non-violent ways of dealing with interpersonal conflict. Various meeting times are available, including mornings, evenings, weekdays and weekends. The Time-Out program is open to voluntary and court-oriented clients and consists of an individual screening session followed by 28 group sessions. Following the initial screening, members attend an orientation session that provides new members with an overview of the program's beliefs and principles, and an understanding of the cycle of battering and the various forms. From the orientation session, members are assigned to an existing group. While attending group meetings, members learn about the dynamics of abuse, skills for coping with stress, conflict resolution and effective non-violent communication techniques, societal influence on their behavior and the impact of abuse on children. Domestic violence is not just a problem of "normal" couple conflict. It is a major public health problem and creates significant financial and intangible costs. Abusers must be held accountable for these costs. The Costs of Domestic Violence are Great: Injuries and death Medical expenses; Legal fees Emotional damages to adults and children Lost wages due to missing work because of injuries or depression School problems or aggression by children Moving/relocation expenses Costs to communities include: Reduced safety within neighborhoods Increased costs: police, court, medical, social agencies Increased costs for employers due to absences and poor work performance. Communities need to hold abusers accountable for their actions: Provide a strong legal and judicial response. Require abusers to participate in and pay for professional treatment for abusive behavior (and substance abuse, if needed). Treatment for the abuse increases the chances that the abuser will learn new attitudes and will learn new ways to resolve conflict. Program Fees Our weekly group classes are 90 minutes in length and are available in both English and Spanish. Fees are charged to the participants for the initial assessment and for the group classes. Enrollment For further information about this service, please contact: Family Services, Inc., at (336) 722-8173. Do You... Get upset when things don't go your way in your relationship? Swear at your partner, or put her/him down with a lot of criticism? Believe you should be the one to make the major decisions in your relationship? Get jealous? Try to intimidate your partner? Fight more when you have been drinking? Harass your partner at her/his job? Call your partner frequently to checkup on her/him? Throw things at your partner? Hit your partner with your fist? Push, grab, slap or shove your partner? Force sex on your partner? Threaten your partner with a gun or knife? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be appropriate for the Time-Out Program. Help is available...Call Family Services at (336) 722-8173.