STV - Stop the Violence

Stop the Violence is M.E.N.'s introductory awareness group in which we guide men to a fuller understanding of themselves and their behavior. 

Men work together in a supportive environment guided by our facilitators and other group members as we explore how our behavior effects our co-workers, friends, families, as well as ourselves. 

Our focus is on building foundational skills and implementing strategies to de-escalate situations and strengthen our communication with those around us.

• Time outs - The single most useful tool in our curriculum, we learn to communicate our needs and build trust with our partners. Time outs allow us to stop violence before it happens.
• Plan of Action - How can we better navigate situations in which we know we may act abusively? Planning ahead and thinking through a different outcome  in detail are powerful ways to change behavior.
• Anger Journals - These journals give us an opportunity to reflect on our behavior and identify the steps that lead to our outbursts.

From these core skills we shift our focus to learning to identify and express our feelings in communication, sharing our own personal concepts of what it means to be a man and how we can become caught in an ongoing "Rescue Triangle" which can trap us in a cycle of violence or abuse. 

We share our personal understanding of these and other concepts with men who understand. 

We listen with compassion and acceptance.

We learn and implement new skills which benefit ourselves and those around us. 

Stop the Violence groups are offered both in-person and online via Zoom:

• Monday from 7pm to 9pm - In-person meeting in Petaluma, CA.
• Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm - Online via Zoom. 

                   We ask that you minimize interruptions during the meeting and have a strong internet connection.

• A donation of one hours' wages is requested to help support the work we do.