Because Wanting to Stop is NOT Enough

Founded in 1977, Emerge was the first abuser education program in the United States. Since its creation, Emerge has been a national leader in working to end violence in intimate relationships.

In working toward this goal, Emerge seeks to educate individual abusers, prevent young people from learning to accept violence in their relationships, improve institutional responses to domestic violence, and increase public awareness about the causes and solutions to partner violence. With the development of parenting education groups for fathers, Emerge has expanded its mission to include a goal of helping men to become more responsible parents.

Emerge teaches that domestic violence is a learned behavior, not a disease or a sickness. Emerge supports grassroots, institutional and cultural efforts to stop partner violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Emerge recognizes that other oppressive life circumstances such as racism, poverty and homophobia create a climate that contributes to partner violence.

This website is designed to offer information on services Emerge offers and should not be considered as a substitute for seeking out abuser education services. Materials sold on this site are intended to be used by counselors and administrators, and are not intended as “self-help” resources. Trainings are conducted on a regular basis in the Boston area, and Emerge is available to conduct trainings world-wide. Please click on the tabs above for specific information, and if you have any questions when using our site, please contact us at 617-547-9879 or by e-mail.


Emerge is a Massachusetts Certified Batterer Intervention Program & Training Site. For information on Certification Guidelines for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, visit the official website of the Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).