Family Crisis Center is an approved provider of Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Intervention (DVOTI) by The New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department. The program is aimed at providing the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to address abusive behaviors in relationships and work toward cooperative, healthy relationships. Clients in the program are either court ordered due to a conviction of battery or aggravated battery against a household member or self-referred because of concerns an individual has about their behaviors in their relationship. The program staff have a cummilative work experience in the field of domestic violence treatment that exceeds 170 years. 

Getting Started

After an individual reaches out to our agency for help, whether referred by the courts or voluntarily, they go through a process of assessment, diagnosis, and placement in various groups. As mentioned later in this newsletter, the staff also determines if there are other treatment needs for the client, (i.e. substance abuse or mental health issues). 

The Domest Violence Education Group focus is on understanding the dynamics of abuse, the basis of power and control as it relates to domestic violence, the effect of domestic violence on the victim and the children, and healthy relationships.  The series of topics allows the participant to learn the effects of their actions, challenges their understanding of power and control in relationships, and provides them with coping skills in order to be in cooperative relationships. 

These classes are designed to educate the participant on issues related to their behavior and anger.  Although anger management is not the cause of domestic violence, it is essential to help clients understand and develop skills related to feelings and coping with feelings.  These classes are typically held in the evenings to accomodate clients who work during the day.