On the Level: Foundations for Violence-Free Living

By David J. Mathews

Book Overview

Men's violence has been with us for a long time. We've hurt, injured, even killed our wives, partners, brother, and others who have crossed us in moments of anger and rage. The goal before us is not to cast blame, but rather to put a stop to the violence. We need to take responsibility for ourselves, our actions, and our words. There are no winners in violence, only pain, suffering, and loss.The assignments in this workbook may be some of the most difficult you'll ever face. You'll be asked to openly and honestly look at yourself as you've never done before-not to find fault, but to find truth. While these questions and challenges might be asked and made by others, the answers must come from within. Only you can determine the lessons you'll learn. You alone will make the choices. You alone will make the changes.This workbook is yours to remind you of what you are learning and the progress you're making. There are no right or wrong answers. What you write will probably be very different from what others write. We hope that this workbook will help you chart your progress and growth as you continue to address life issues after completing this program.This workbook is designed for use with our counselor's guide, Foundations for Violence-Free Living. It forms a permanent record of the work the men have done and the progress they've made toward changing their behavior. It contains 49 worksheets that correspond to the activities described in the facilitator's guide. The language in this workbook was edited for adult learners, to be sure men of all educational backgrounds could use it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0940069067
• ISBN13: 9780940069060
• Release Date: June 1995
• Publisher: Fieldstone Alliance
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 10.7"

Customer Reviews

On the Level - Valuable Tool

This is the companion workbook to Foundations for Violence-Free Living by the same author. Mathews is an MA, LICSW, and a counselor with the Wilder Men's Domestic Abuse Program. He is active in violence intervention and prevention in communities and schools, and has consulted with and trained local, state, and national organizations. Together, the two books provide a solid basis to begin or revise a community-based program to help men who have committed acts of domestic violence. While Violence Free Living is a guide for the facilitator, this workbook, with nearly 50 activities, is meant for the program participant. It is well-written; organized, understandable without talking down, and thought-provoking. The exercises are goal-oriented and include things like a responsibility plan, assertiveness workpages, parenting ideas and exercises dealing with intimacy. The book is fairly affordable; multiple copy purchases could probably (in my personal opinion) win funding if you submitted a well-thought grant proposal to a foundation that supports DV programs or mental health programs. Interesting footnote - the Foundation offers additional support - by way of informaiton and training if you contact them directly.