The Office for Boys and Men (OBM) is a new counseling service for violent men, offered for the first time across Albania, following the “Counseling Line for Boys and Men” in Tirana. OBM aims to reduce domestic violence by focusing on the rehabilitation of perpetrators, raising awareness, educating young men, and engaging fathers with an anti-domestic violence approach. The office began its activity in July 2014 as a complementary service to those offered by the “Woman to Woman” organization. OBM is part of the local referral system and is staffed by three professionals (two counselors and one social worker) specialized in providing counseling services.
The Office for Boys and Men offers:
Who benefits from perpetrator counseling?
Psychological counseling is the only service that directly benefits both the victims and the perpetrator. By providing counseling services, the chances of victims experiencing further violence are significantly reduced, improving family dynamics and enhancing safety within the household.
The counseling service directly helps the perpetrator, who is assisted through a series of sessions aimed at stopping violent acts. This service also supports the entire intervention system in the fight against domestic violence by introducing a new approach to reducing this phenomenon and increasing safety for family members affected by violent episodes.