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Reflectively Embracing Nonviolence through Education for Women (RENEW) is an intervention and support group program for women who have used force in their intimate relationships. The program's framework is grounded in the philosophy that a social systems approach to contextualized assessment, multi-institutional advocacy, group member education and support is critical to effectively serving the complex needs of this population.
The RENEW Program's philosophy and mission are driven by the belief that women -- whether they are domestic violence survivors or not -- who use nonself-defensive force against a partner are putting themselves and others in their lives at risk of harm.
RENEW's goal is for program participants to receive contextualized assessment, advocacy, education and support as they navigate their complex circumstances and work toward violence-free lives.
Through the group process women who have used nonself-defensive force in their intimate relationships have the opportunity to receive nonjudgmental, group intervention focused on personal choice and responsibility taking.
It has been the RENEW staff's experience that women who use force do so because they believe their behavioral options are limited. The group process is an eclectic mix of compassionate confrontation and group member interaction, grounded in curriculum-based sessions, where women are empowered to explore viable nonviolent alternatives to forceful behaviors. Group members have referred to this dynamic exploratory process as a time for personal renewal that sustains them after their time in the group has come to an end.
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