Counseling Program in Kane Aims to Stop Cycle of Violence - Aurora Beacon News
“This is designed for people who want to get help and stop the violence,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser. Mosser has been prosecuting domestic violence cases for eight years. In that time, Mosser has already seen the cyclical nature of the crime.
She has seen a father charged with domestic violence, and seen his son come through the system several years later for committing a similar crime.
“In an eight-year time period, I have seen that cycle go through a family because of learned behavior,” Mosser said.
Manning-Rosenfeld has noticed a similar trend. Those who grew up in families where threat, force and control were viewed as signs of love often have a similar misconception as a result.
“A lot of times, the men we are seeing don’t have (communication) skills in their childhood family of origin. They didn’t learn them. We can’t go back and change that, but I am going to teach them now,” she said. “The message they got was that grown-up people solve their problems by force … they misinterpret control for love. And, we have to teach them these differences.”
And, more often than not, the offenders are grateful for a chance to change.
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