Preventive Services

Alternatives to Incarceration

The Program

Upon intake, all clients are assigned an advocate/counselor who will work with them to develop a treatment plan that best meets their needs.

Court Collaboration

We work closely with the courts and the client’s attorney to design an appropriate treatment plan. We accompany clients to court and monitor their progress, providing compliance reports as requested. If necessary, our staff attorney will consult with the client’s defense. Charges have been reduced or dismissed in 85% to 90% of our cases.

Groups

We provide weekly groups at our office and at Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island. Our group curricula are proprietary to STEPS and have been developed and refined over the past 19 years.

• New Beginnings is a 12 week psycho-educational group which provides education regarding domestic violence. It is required of all STEPS participants.
• Understanding Your Anger is a 12 week psycho-educational group designed to assist survivors of domestic violence to understand and manage their feelings of anger in a healthy and positive manner.
• DV & Substance Abuse, Self-Esteem to Empowerment, Creative Expressions, Stress Management, and Parenting are also offered throughout the year.

Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is available to address issues in greater depth as well as to assist with additional referrals or safety planning as needed.

Additional Services
STEPS to End Family Violence has worked in New York City for over 19 years to serve the needs of women and families whose lives have been impacted by abuse.

Our Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) program is unique in New York City in specifically addressing the needs of domestic violence survivors who have been charged with crimes related to the abuse they have experienced. In most cases our clients carry charges related to defending themselves or their children.

The criminal justice system can be overwhelming to anyone, but for women with histories of trauma whose power has been repeatedly usurped by the abuser it becomes almost insurmountable. We work with our clients every step of the way to reach an outcome satisfactory to the criminal justice system and beneficial to the women and their families.

Eligibility

• A history of abuse as an adult or in childhood
• Arrested on charges related to this abuse
• Willingness to participate in the program a minimum of 6 months

Location
Our offices are located in East Harlem and in the Wall Street area. Our staff are also able to meet with clients at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island.

Cost

All of our programs are free of charge.

Additional Services

Our clients also have access to the following STEPS programs:

• Taking STEPS—providing non residential domestic violence services
• Stepping Stones to Success— a job-readiness program
• The Children’s Therapy Program— providing group, individual, and family therapy to children affected by domestic violence
• Youth CAP— counseling services for teens affected by domestic violence.