Family Violence Intervention Services

Interface’s Family Violence Intervention Services department provides comprehensive family violence programming that aims to prevent, interrupt and end the cycle of violence within family systems.

Our multi-faceted approach allows us to address the complex issues of family violence, which can include child abuse, dating violence, and domestic violence, by providing safe and supportive services to victims while simultaneously encouraging abuser accountability and preventing the future perpetration of family violence.

Interface believes that no one ever deserves to be abused, especially within the context of an intimate relationship, and that all individuals should have the opportunity to exercise their right to define their personal relationships and spaces as violence-free zones. We address the needs of survivors, but we also address the needs of the unheard voices of those victims who face so many barriers to leaving their abusive relationship that becoming a survivor is often a seemingly unobtainable reality for them. Through our prevention, outreach, and educational programming, we attempt to reach those individuals who are experiencing, and are at-risk of experiencing, domestic violence.

As long as even one person experiences domestic violence in Ventura County, we will continue to provide domestic and family violence prevention and intervention services, and we will continue to do so with the utmost respect and understanding of the specific needs of the various victims and survivors of abuse in our community.

Supporting Victims

Interface Family Violence Response Team

Interface Family Violence Response Team offers 24 hours a day/7 days a week advocacy and response to domestic violence calls when requested by law enforcement and medical providers. Family violence advocates respond to safe locations to provide crisis intervention, immediate assessment, safety planning and referrals to victims. Advocates also assist with the follow-up advocacy including, but not limited to, restraining order assistance and court accompaniment. The response team often serves as an entry point into the emergency shelter program.

Safe Haven Emergency Shelter

Safe Haven provides 30 days of emergency shelter for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. The program provides emergency assistance, safety, housing, counseling, advocacy and support for battered women and their children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Safe Haven shelter is a confidential location and can house up to four women and their children at any one time. Clothing, food, toiletries, toys, and other necessities are made available for new arrivals and are provided throughout the clients’ stay. Case managers help the clients to achieve safety and self-sufficiency goals. Participants are offered assistance in developing life and parenting skills, enhancement of self-esteem through classes, groups and individual counseling. Referrals and advocacy for substance abuse recovery programs are provided when appropriate. Children participate in special groups with an intern therapist or qualified domestic violence counselors, who engage them in positive social development and therapeutic expressive arts activities.

Safe Journey Transitional Shelter

Safe Journey transitional shelter serves domestic violence survivors who have already completed their stay in an emergency shelter. Many victims leave situations of isolation and dependency with little knowledge or access to establish independent living. Safe Journey offers therapeutic activities such as counseling and support groups, as well as activities to strengthen their independent living skills. During their stay, clients work closely with their case manager to set and reach strategic goals. These goals include: job search and training, household establishment, and budget/time management. Families also participate in activities to enhance their parenting skills and knowledge of nutrition. Our shelter programs provide a safe and stable environment for victims of domestic violence and their children to make a new start and prepare for their future.

Support Group for Women

Interface offers weekly, confidential support groups for victims of domestic violence. Topics include understanding the dynamics of domestic violence, warning signs in a relationship, impacts of abuse on children, safety planning and how to make better choices in relationships. Groups are facilitated by trained domestic violence counselors and are free of charge. Walk-ins are welcome

For more information about any of these services or to reach a domestic violence advocate, call 1-800-636-6738.

Preventing Family Violence

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention “My Body Belongs to Me”

A personal safety/child abuse prevention program, My Body Belongs to Me, is for children from preschool through 6th grade and their families. The program works to educate and empower children in a non-threatening way, so that they may be better-equipped to avoid abuse. This safety program teaches children how to respond to potentially dangerous people and situations. The program is offered to schools, day-care centers and other child care and youth facilities free of charge. To learn more about the My Body Belongs to Me Program call (805) 485-6114 ext. 691.

Teen Dating Violence Prevention

The Teen Dating Violence Prevention program is a universal primary prevention program that encourages teens to declare their personal relationships and spaces as violence-free zones. The program combines educational workshops with a complimentary youth-led media campaign. It specifically aims to increase teens’ awareness of abuse and prevent incidents of dating violence by increasing knowledge of teen dating violence and encouraging help-seeking behaviors among participants. Our program is part of Interface’s greater efforts to prevent family violence, and specifically targets 9th grade students in Health classes throughout Ventura County. For more information or to schedule a presentation call (805) 485-6114 ext. 644.

Community Awareness & Outreach

Community awareness and outreach is provided through presentations, informational booths and resources free of charge on topics related to family violence prevention. Our outreach staff and volunteers speak at schools/universities, faith centers, places of employment, medical facilities, law enforcement agencies, health fairs and community events.

The following presentations are available:

Domestic Violence 101
Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Domestic Violence and the Work Place
Domestic Violence for Health Care Practitioners
Interface Family Violence Response Team

Call (805) 485-6114, ext. 616 for more information or to schedule a presentation.

Encouraging Accountability

Anger Management

The Anger Management program consists of 15-sessions where individuals learn to effectively manage their anger while dealing with feelings of stress and rage. Classes focus on identifying the triggers for anger and provide tools for enhancing communication, self-awareness and stress management to help prevent future violent outbursts. For more information or to register for classes call (805) 485-6114 ext. 603.

Batterers’ Intervention

The Interface Batterers’ Intervention Program is a 52-week series of structured, interactive classes. The purpose of the program is to eliminate future instances of domestic violence by engaging offenders in group treatment to help them understand the dynamics of domestic violence including power and control, identify their triggers to abuse, manage their anger and take responsibility for their past violent behavior. Participants are provided with tools and techniques for engaging in healthier relationships and developing positive communication with their family. The program works to help build an individual’s positive self-image which is not dependent upon violence or control of another. For more information or to register for classes call (805) 485-6114 ext. 603.

Co-Custody Parenting

A 10-session group program to promote cooperation, understanding and a reduction of anger and conflict in joint custody and co-parenting situations. Participants are taught techniques for having positive interactions with the co-parent for the benefit of their children. For more information or to register for classes call (805) 485-6114 ext. 603.

Parenting Education

Interface utilizes the 123 Magic parenting series which is an evidence based program held in a group format for parents, grandparents and caretakers. Over the course of ten sessions participants learn alternatives to physical punishment, applied understanding of child development, increased communication skills, appropriate child discipline and behavior management. For more information or to register for classes call (805) 485-6114 ext. 603.