Abuse Intervention Program

From Harm to Healing:

Accountability, Empathy, Responsibility.

What is Domestic Violence?

One in three women and one in four men in the United States experience physical abuse by an intimate partner in their lifetime¹—a reflection of how widespread domestic violence truly is. Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner or family member. This abuse can include physical violence, emotional manipulation, sexual coercion, financial control, monitoring, and isolation. It is not about conflict or losing control—it’s about one person’s sustained effort to dominate and instill fear, often escalating over time.

Ending domestic violence requires responses that not only reach the survivor of domestic violence, but also the person causing harm.

Sources:
1: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Statistics

What is an AIP?

The AIP at Prevention Resources is a structured, therapeutic program for individuals who have used abusive or controlling behaviors in relationships. It promotes accountability, empathy, and lasting change through counseling, education, and case management.

We utilize the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model to guide treatment, tailoring services to each individual’s risk level, identified needs, and ability to engage in change. The primary objective is to reduce future harm, rather than solely achieving program completion.

Program Details

Participants complete the Domestic Violence Risk and Needs Assessment (DVRNA), a research-based tool used to guide the focus and intensity of their treatment plan.

Participant progress is measured through key areas of change, including:

Accepting accountability
Recognizing the impact of their behavior
Strengthening self-regulation
Developing healthy relationship skills

We use a Multidisciplinary Treatment Team (MTT) approach, collaborating with courts, probation, mental health providers, and victim advocates to ensure coordinated and consistent care. Victim safety and confidentiality remain central throughout this process.

AIP encompasses the following:

Treatment modalities aimed at addressing and preventing abusive and controlling behaviors among individuals who have caused harm in their intimate relationships;
Guiding principles that respond to needs and strengths of participants to provide individualized services;
Education, counseling, and support with the goal of breaking the cycle and promoting healthier relationships;
Collaborative community response, ensuring services are survivor-centered and support the participant’s engagement, accountability, and progress toward change.

Prevention Resources serves the following NJ counties:

Hunterdon County

Alison Belli

Melissa Gerko

Alison Belli

Melissa Gerko

Somerset County

Stephanie Powley

Alison Perloff

Stephanie Powley

Alison Perloff

Middlesex County

Amanda Gerko

Jose Figueroa

Amanda Gerko

Jose Figueroa

For info about AIPs in other NJ counties, go to the website below:
nj.gov/dcf/women/abuse-intervention

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is AIP important?

Our commitment and collaboration across community partners and individuals creates a tailored response with proven successful outcomes. Change plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of abuse, power, and control.

What is the expected duration of the program?

The length of participation is determined by individual progress and compliance with treatment goals. Duration may vary and is not time-limited.

Why not anger management or couples counseling?

Anger management programs do not address the underlying dynamics of power and control that are central to abusive behavior. Couples counseling may place survivors at increased risk and is not appropriate when abuse is present. The Abuse Intervention Program (AIP) prioritizes individual accountability and is structured to promote the safety of victims and survivors.