Program Goals:
- Stopping his violence and abusive behavior
- Understanding the effect of his violence and controlling behavior
- Accepting responsibility for his behavior and taking specific steps to change
- Learning to be respectful of her by listening, expressing feelings in a non-abusive way, and supporting her right to make her own choices about her day-to-day activities and life.
Program Format:
- Length: 26 weeks (following an Assessment and Orientation) in-person
- Curriculum: The Duluth Model — a nationally recognized, evidence-based framework for addressing abuse and fostering nonviolent relationships
- Certification: Program and facilitators certified through the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV)
- Bridges AIP welcomes individuals referred by the court (both referrals and orders), DCS referrals, and private-pay clients who voluntarily enroll in the program.
Step 1: Contact Information
To schedule your assessment, contact:
Program Name: Bridges Counseling and Family Services
Phone: (812) 954-5121
Email: bridges.aip@bridgescounselingllc.com
Office Hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Location: 325 Washington Street Aurora Indiana, 47001
Step 2: Scheduling Your Appointment
To schedule your assessment, please call or email the office. Assessments are currently held every Tuesday.
Be ready to provide:
- Your full name
- Referring agency or probation officer’s name
- Preferred contact information (phone/email)
- Failure to schedule promptly may be reported to your referring source or the court.
Step 3: Preparing for Your Assessment
- Photo ID
- Court paperwork or referral form
- Payment for the $86 assessment fee - Cash or card is accepted
Your appointment is expected to last approximately 60–90 minutes.
During the assessment, you will discuss:
- Your background and history
- Current circumstances
- Program expectations and next steps
To learn more or schedule an assessment, please contact:
📞 (812) 954-5121
📧 bridges.aip@bridgescounselingllc.com
For victim services, Safe Passage, Inc offers a 24/7 toll-free helpline: 1-877-733-1990
Principles of a Duluth Model Men’s Nonviolence Program
The Duluth Model provides the foundation for the Abuse Intervention Program (AIP) at Bridges Counseling and Family Services.
The following principles guide all aspects of our program:
- The men’s nonviolence program’s purpose is to increase the safety of women and children.
Every element of the program is designed to promote safety for survivors and reduce the risk of further violence. - The reference point for understanding battering is the experience of women who have been battered.
The voices and lived experiences of survivors inform how we understand, teach, and respond to abusive behavior. - The program’s focus is on deconstructing men’s historical and socially constructed entitlement to be violent toward women.
Participants explore how beliefs about power, control, and gender contribute to abusive behaviors—and how to change them. - An ongoing, formal relationship with shelter and court advocates is a critical part of providing safety for women and children.
Collaboration with advocacy services ensures survivor safety remains at the center of the intervention process. - Critical dialogue is central to creating an educational process of change for men who batter.
Facilitators use discussion, reflection, and accountability—not punishment—to promote lasting behavioral and attitudinal change. - The men’s nonviolence program recognizes and responds to the advocacy, safety, and empowerment needs of the women whose partners are in the program.
Survivor safety and empowerment are essential to the integrity and success of the intervention process. - The men’s nonviolence program is a component of a larger interagency response to battering.
A true Duluth Model program operates within a coordinated community response focused on two core goals: Improving the safety of women and children and holding men accountable for the violence they commit.