The Concept -

• Physical, verbal, emotional or psychological abuse has no place in a family.
• The mission of SAFE is to teach families how to resolve conflict in an environment of respect, peace, and mutual support.
• The program provides support groups for both the abuser and the abused.

The SAFE Model -

• Abuse has no place in a family.
• Confront problems and fears; avoidance allows the problems or fears to control us.
• Help people to discover the root cause of their violence.
• Help people to recognize the role that fear plays in violence and how to take responsibility for it.

Goals of the Program -

• Teach people how to create physical, psychological and emotional safety.
• Help people to recognize the emotional wounds resulting from violence both as the abused and the abuser.
• Teach people how to heal those wounds.
• Learn how to work through and heal our own hurts, fears, sadness, shame and frustration without turning to anger and violence.
• Learn how to discharge our emotional distress in a healthy manner.
• Learn how to replace violence with respect, caring, understanding, acceptance, trust and appreciation.

The Program -

• SAFE offers programs designed to address abusive behavior in the family. The process starts with an individual private session, followed by inclusion in a men's or women's group session or a family session.
• The group sessions provide participants with a safe and supportive place to:
• Discuss and understand behavior
• Learn ways to correct abusive or unacceptable actions
• Learn conflict resolution and anger management skills
• Address the concerns and fears that precede their anger
• Allow for open and healing discussions

When and Where -

• Individual sessions are scheduled by appointment.
• Group sessions are held weekly.
• Meetings are held at several locations in Lower Bucks County.

Costs -

• Initial 2 hour private session is $81 per person.
• Group sessions are $45 per person, per session.
• Additional costs for materials when needed.

Referrals to SAFE are accepted from -

• Social service workers
• Counseling groups
• Criminal justice organizations

Program Director -

• The SAFE program was developed and is led by John Anthony Bochnowicz. He has a M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling and has been working with abused families since 1982. His career began at Tahoe Abused Women Services primarily working with the abused person. In 1984 he began working with the offenders to help them to stop the violence in their lives. He has facilitated over 1500 groups, working with men and women.

What Participants have said . . .

• "...you have done more for our marriage in four months than either one of us could in twenty-two years. Your program at the Peace Center has made us better as individuals and as a couple, not to mention the beneficial effects to our three children."

• "... I learned how to get in touch with what I'm thinking and feeling,... learned how to control my temper."

• "John Anthony gets to the root of the problem, always with patience and compassion. He helps us to change and find love, peace, and our own power."

• " ... Your program has been a miracle to me. It provided me with a safe and supportive environment to unload and sort through my life's path. It provided me with the nurturing I needed to heal. It gave me the strength to choose a different and enlightened path... I am a different person with a different life, and on a happier, peaceful path."

Conflict is normal--violence is not--it can be resolved without violence or abuse. SAFE is a supportive alliance for both the abuser and the abused; John Anthony Bochnowicz works with families to create a "win-win" solution.