Personal Profile
Alyce LaViolette has worked with battered women since 1978, first as an advocate at WomenShelter in Long Beach and then in private practice. In 1979, she founded Alternatives to Violence, one of the first programs in the country for spouse abusers. She specializes in Anger Management, Domestic Violence Counseling for Survivors and Perpetrators, Gender Issues. She also provides couples' counseling, and a broad base of individual issuses as wells as an an Expert Witness.
Alyce LaViolette became an advocate and volunteer at WomenShelter in Long Beach, Ca. as part of her graduate program at California State University at Long Beach in l978. In l979, she was hired to create a program for men who were abusing their intimate partners. She developed and marketed Alternatives to Violence in l979. She developed networks with the probation department, the criminal courts, the police department, social service and other community agencies. She also began outreach into the community seeking both referrals and support for the program and for WomenShelter. Alyce became the community educator and volunteer coordinator for WomenShelter. She chaired the commitee that sponsored the first domestic violence walk in Southern California and later co-chaired the Southern California Coalition's Walk-a-thon to end domestic violence.
In l980, Alyce, Carole Koehle, the supervisor of Adult Probation in Long Beach and Linda Gonzalez, the officer in charge of domestic violence diversion developed the first day-long training program for probation officers in Los Angeles County and later all over the state. Alyce provided the training. She appeared on local and national television and radio educating the public on the plight of battered women and children and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their abuse and also helping them to change their beliefs and behaviors. She recruited volunteers to staff the hotline, provide shelter services and donate needed supplies and money.
Alyce began writing articles about the impact of violence on women in l980 and continues to write articles on the victims and perpetrators of abuse. She is the co-author of one of Sage Publication's best-selling books, "It Could Happen to Anyone: Why Battered Women Stay", currently in its second edition. She has co-authored a parenting curriculum for the Administrative Offices of the Court entitled "For Our Children" and edited the California Association of Batterer Intervention Program' "Toolbox". She was a founding member and co-chair of the Association of Batterers' Intervention Programs and the California Association (ABIP and CABIP). She continues to co-chair both organizations. Alyce worked to create legislation (with Senator Alan Lowenthal) developing standards for BIP facilitators. She has developed training programs for the Los Angeles and Orange County Departments of Children and Family Services. Ms. LaViolette speaks nationally and internationally. She has also consulted with governmental agencies in Japan and Israel. She is a frequently requested conference and keynote speaker. She has consulted with corporations and serves as an Advisory Board Member on the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. She also specializes as an expert witness for both criminal, civil and family court.
Alyce has received numerous awards for her work, including the Humanitarian Award from Peace Over Violence, the LIfetime Achievement Award from the Statewide California Coalition on Battered Women, the Ending Violence Award from Su Casa, proclamations from Los Angeles County and the State of California. Alyce recently received a proclamation and was honored by the City of Long Beach for her work in the field of domestic violence.
In l984, Alyce took the Alternatives to Violence program into private practice. She currently does a broad-based private practice including couples, family and individual therapy, with specialties in conflict resolution, anger management, gender issues and intimate partner violence.
See two samples of Alyce's presentations:
1. For The Child Fundraiser
2. End Abuse Long Beach Presentor
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID
"If you haven't heard Alyce speak before, you definitely need to attend this one - and if you have heard her speak before, you certainly won't want to miss it!"
--Paula Cohen, President of EndAbuseLB.org
"Alyce is an excellent presenter. Her presentation was very clear and extremely informative. I have been in the field of domestic violence for a few years and I was very impressed by her knowledge and expertise. Alyce also has a wonderful sense of humor."
"The instructor was insightful, open, and was able to interject humor, which made it easier to open up to a difficult subject."
"Wow. Great presentation! Powerful material."
"I liked the "imagine yourself" aspect but I also appreciated the more informative aspects of this lecture. Thanks for the handout and including some empathy for the perpetrator and males as victims."
"The Instructor was experienced, organized and funny. She kept things going with excel-lent illustrations. She also had a wonderful attitude."
"Alyce has a unique gift for presenting sensitive material in an enjoyable way. The day went fast. "
"Great speaker with a wealth of information and expertise."
"She gave are new and pertinent ideas that I could take hack and use immediately."
"Best seminar, on this topic, that I've ever attended!"
"Through her experiential approach to the subject of family violence, the issues involved became very real for me."