Offender Services

Community safety, victim safety, risk management and the prevention of interpersonal violence and abuse are the ultimate goals of Meridian Behavioral Health’s Offender Services Program. The impact of interpersonal physical, emotional and sexual violence is far-reaching and negatively impacts families, children, employers, community safety, our economy and our overall community well-being. Working collaboratively with other interested agencies, especially victim service agencies, we can bring awareness to these issues, and address them.  Meridian Behavioral Health Services offers both a Substance Abuse Intervention Program and a Domestic Violence Intervention Program.

Sexual Abuse Intervention Program

The Sexual Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP) are for individuals who have committed acts of sexual abuse/assault against minors and/or adults. Although most clients will be on probation, this is not a requirement for participation in the program. The range of services includes:

• Psychosexual Risk Assessments & Evaluations
• Adult Sex Offender Treatment Groups
• Case Management & Referral
• Approved Supervisor Program includes assessment for supervised contact
• Family Workshops
• Partner Support Groups
• Couples and Family Therapy
• Graduation Support Group
• Professional staff training

Using a group format, treatment addresses the full range of problems and issues which offenders face providing a safe environment to:

• Develop healthy ways of living a productive and balanced life
• Reduce deviant sexual thoughts and feelings
• Challenge thinking errors
• Understand contributing life experiences
• Identify and change the assault cycle
• Develop victim empathy skills
• Transform toxic shame or shamelessness to healthy shame
• Develop a Relapse Prevention Plan
• Manage debilitating emotional states, i.e. anger, depression
• Address relationship and sexuality issues
• Understand sexual knowledge & functioning

Domestic Violence Intervention Program DVIP’s goal is to prevent and address interpersonal violence in Western North Carolina and to partner with other organizations to bring attention to this pervasive problem in our community. The DVIP services offered for individuals who have been abusive with their partners and children include:

• Risk & Lethality Assessments
• Psycho-educational Treatment Groups
• Victim’s Referral and Resource Services
• Case Management & Referral

In a group setting, treatment addresses the following issues that are prevalent in domestic violence.

• Accountability and Honesty
• Nonviolence & Non threatening Behavior
• Respect, Support & Trust
• Non-controlling Behaviors
• Sexual Respect & Partnership

For more information about any of our Offender Services programs, please view the Offender Services Brochure.

To refer an individual please complete the Offender Services Referral Form.