Ayelet Program: Mentoring Women Leaving the Cycle of Violence

Abstract

SUMMARY In 1998, the Haifa Battered Women's Hotline started Ayelet, a unique project, which provides long-term mentoring to women who are starting a new life outside the cycle of violence. From the studies of the shelters between 30% to as much as 60% of the women who leave their violent partners return to them within the first six months. The Ayelet project has had a 100% success rate. All the women who have participated in the project have succeeded to rehabilitate their lives and live outside the cycle of violence. Furthermore, Ayelet works to stop the generational cycle of violence. By helping the mothers leave the cycle of violence and create a new non-violent family model, their children will hopefully become free from the devastating effects of witnessing parental violence.