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adopt
About the Initiative for
Violence-Free Families
in Hennepin County
these
family
rules:
No name calling, put downs or
other messages that tell family
members they’re not good
enough.
No using threats of violence as
a way to make others do what
you want them to do.
No making fun of people who
are different from you.
No hitting—adults as well as
children should follow this rule.
The mission of Family & Children’s Service is building strong families,
vital communities, and capable children. For more information about
our organization, please visit
www.everyfamilymatters.org.
T
he Initiative was formed in 1994 to mobilize
people in homes, schools, neighborhoods and
workplaces of Hennepin County who want to act to
prevent violence. By becoming involved in the
Initiative, citizens can move from being isolated
individuals concerned about violence, to being part of
a community-wide effort. The Initiative’s Action
Teams provide room for residents and professionals
to debate, find common ground, and connect with
others to act as citizens determined to live in and
promote peace.
how to
be a
violence-free
family
everybody can do it
The Initiative provides practical ways for people to
prevent violence in their immediate lives and
communities (work, school, neighborhood, family)
and works on a broader level to change systems that
perpetuate or accomodate violence. Everyone can
take a stand against violence in their community by
joining their efforts with others.
If you’re interested in learning
more about the
Initiative for Violence-Free
Families/FCS,
call us at 612-728-2093 or
visit our website at
www.ivff.org.
IVFF’s mission is to
mobilize
individuals
and the community to
acknowledge and act
to end violence.
Family & Children’s Service
how to be a violence-free family:
tips for parents and kids
Each person has strengths of
his or her own. Identify them, and
build on them. Give each family
member a reason to feel important.
When your feelings are
escalating, and stress is getting
the better of you, get the
help you need—before you
lash out at someone.
Discourage abuse of drugs and
alcohol. Use of drugs and alcohol
has been associated with incidents
of violence. Be a role model
for responsible use.
Carefully choose toys
and entertainment that
reflect non-violence.
Learn about your family’s
history, culture or race.
Celebrate it. Learn about and
respect the culture of others.
Encourage play that teaches a
child to be a good sport. Show
children how to have fun without
fighting and name-calling.
Do not keep guns in your
home—real or pretend. If you
must have a gun, use a trigger
lock, a lock box or other type
of safe storage.
Treat your pets kindly.
Use alternatives to spanking.
Do not hit. Nonviolent discipline
strategies, such as time-outs, have
been proven to be more effective
than hitting.
Negotiate—work out
problems together by looking at
alternative solutions and
compromises. Make it your goal
to defeat the problem, not the person.
Build connections with your school,
other families and friends. A positive
student connection with school is an
important protective factor in keeping
kids from becoming violent.
Teach your children the ways
their religious tradition/spirituality
promotes non-violence.
If you grew up in a home
where violence was common,
make it your mission to break the
cycle of violence. Get help...no
one should have to do it alone.
Examine your own prejudices
and fears. Fear of homosexuality
can lead young men to be violent
in order to prove masculinity.
Spend time together—talk,
listen, and never stop getting
to know each other.