Violence can never be accepted under any circumstance. But too many people grow up in families struggling with violence and abuse as a way to deal with relationship conflicts—and then go on to repeat that familiar dynamic in their adult relationships, perpetuating the cycle of abuse.

The Milwaukee Women’s Center understands the multigenerational cycle of domestic violence from the perspective of the survivor and abuser. A key component of the center’s efforts to support healthy behaviors and relationships to end the cycle of violence for good is the Nevermore Batterers Prevention and Intervention Program.

Nevermore is an educational support group-based program aiming to help male batterers, as young as 15 years old, to understand and take responsibility for their abusive behavior in their intimate partner relationships.

At Nevermore, no man is turned away. Over the years the Nevermore men have achieved remarkable success. Many of them say that the program allowed them to openly examine their personal hopes, history, and challenges for the first time in their lives. In 2023, 251 men participated in the Nevermore Batterer’s prevention and intervention program to break the cycle of intergenerational violence.

About Nevermore

The program’s curriculum is delivered by trained and certified facilitators over a mandatory minimum of 24 two-hour sessions focusing on four significant areas:

• Education and awareness regarding the dynamics of domestic violence
• Healing and rehabilitation
• Non-violent communication and conflict resolution skills
• Development of an abusive prevention plan

Nevermore also provides a 24-hour Crisis Line and individual sessions for participants. 

Nevermore's Philosophy

As part of the program, participants recognize a set of belief statements that change their perspective about abuse in relationships, as well as their own behavior. In short, Nevermore’s philosophy affirms that:

• All behaviors, whether intentional or unintentional, have consequences and are the responsibility of the perpetrator; 
• Abuse is often the result of unequal levels of power, and perpetrators use violence to exert control to deal with personal stress. This stress may come from the relationship itself, employment instability, financial concerns or child rearing;
• Perpetrators use violence to exert control, to deal with personal stress, and to keep people away; and 
• Victims remain in these relationships for a variety of reasons, including emotional and financial dependency, family pressures, and fear. 

Over the course of the sessions, the men learn more about themselves, their partners, and their relationships.

Many of them say that the Nevermore program allowed them to openly examine their personal hopes, history, and challenges for the first time in their lives. One Nevermore graduate told us, “I came in as a follower and I left as a leader.” A young man told us last fall that “I started learning a lot of things about myself and my family, and hurts and pains and trauma that happened in the past that have been affecting me in the present and are hindering my future.” Another said, “You guys always walked with me and supported me.”

Click here to learn more about Nevermore. To support the Nevermore men with a financial donation or a note of encouragement, click here.