Family Violence Intervention Program of Lafayette

"2005 Better Business Bureau Finalist for Non-profit of the Year"

Domestic Abuse Intervention Project of Lafayette, Inc., now known as Family Violence Intervention Program, was incorporated in April 1993 as a non-profit agency with a goal of coordinating a response to domestic violence and providing an alternative to violence in family life in Lafayette Parish. Included in the original board were judges, lawyers, policemen, mental health care professionals, and court personnel. A task force was quickly formed to address the issues because they saw no programs that offered a batterer the opportunity to understand and change their violent behavior patterns. The only other solution was jail time, which did nothing to change the batterer's behavior.		These driven individuals set out to find a program that could offer some sort of services to help the abuser end the abusive ways and therefore protect the victim from further harm. In this search, three nationally recognized models were found to help address this need and were brought to Lafayette. The model is a 26-week educational program that has a curriculum designed to give the batterer more insight into the thought and belief system, which is the root of what causes this behavior. In January 1994, FVIP began offering education programs for male batterers. In February 1996, in response to a call from law enforcement and the judiciary community, FVIP began offering a batterers' education group for female batterers.

Facts FVIP is a United Way program. FVIP was nominated for Non-Profit of the Year for 2004 by the Better Business Bureau. The program graduated over 151 clients in 2005. The recidivism rate is highest among the early 20-year-old participants. The average age of a client is 28. In 2005, 272 clients had enrolled and none had previously completed FVIP.		What batterers will learn... Non-threatening behavior such as talking and acting so that everyone feels safe and comfortable expressing themselves. Negotiation and fairness methods such as seeking mutually satisfying resolutions to conflict. Economic Partnership such as making money decisions together. Responsible parenting patterns such as sharing parental duties. Trust and Support of each others' thoughts and ideas. Respect for each other. FVIP ENROLLMENT

2004 City Court Referred Clients (195)

1 day of incarceration = $49 per person
30 days incarceration = $1,470 per person
195 clients sentenced in City Court = $9,550 per day of incarceration
195 clients sentenced in City Court = $286,500 for 30 days incarceration

2004 District Court Referred Clients (214)

1 day of incarceration = $49 per person
150 days (5 months) incarceration = $7,350 per PERSON
214 clients sentenced in District Court = $10,486 per day of incarceration
214 clients sentenced in District Court = $1,572,900 for 150 days (5 months) incarceration

* referred clients came from Family Violence Intervention Program’s database
*$49 a day came from Cynthia Rivette of Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Rivette is the Assessment Coordinator.

Fist

Main Page	What is FVIP?	Need Help	Curriculum	Calendar	How to Help	Board	Resources