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Click here for a discussion of the PAR Model developed by theorist and author Ari Cowan.

WOW! 100% Reduction in Violence The new PAR Model was tested in a Level 5 (maximum security) prison in Washington State. Click here to read about the stunning results (PDF- 170kb)

Edvita uses the PAR Model described in American author and theorist
Ari Cowan's forthcoming book, Violence and the Alchemy of Being. .
Click here for more information on the book.

"I had the unique opportunity to take the [PAR] model overseas and expose people [Hindus, Muslims, Kashmiries, Sikhs on the India-Pakistan border] to it... And their embrace of it was very gratifying. It is not a culturally-bound model. And that we have been able to test and see for ourselves."

-- Ted Hope
Director
The Institute
for Village Studies

"In the past 100 years, approximately 191,000,000 people died in government-sponsored wars genocide, and oppression, making the 20th century the most violent in recorded history."

-- World Health Organization, 2004

On this page --	The Savage Pandemic • The "Punitive Model" • The PAR Model

The Savage Pandemic

In the past 100 years, approximately 191,000,000 people died in government-sponsored wars genocide, and oppression, making the 20th century the most violent in recorded history.* This does not count individual criminal acts, domestic violence, "honor killings of women," and other interpersonal violence. Hundreds of millions more were wounded, maimed, and traumatized — leaving a legacy of harm and despair, sorrow and suffering.

There appears to be no end in sight. And, with the events of 11 September 2001 in which a small group attacked New York City, Washington, DC, and a flight over Pennsylvania, it is clear that there is no longer any safe haven from international violence. This is the world in which we are living and which our children are inheriting.

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The pandemic of violence wreaks havoc upon us and robs us of much of our quality of life and wealth. Even the United States — the richest nation of the world — is not exempt. The sampling below is illustrative:*

And, of course, it's not just the challenge of violence in the United States. Violence anywhere impacts people everywhere.

Clearly, the issue of violence merits our attention, innovation, and commitment. The new "Violence Integrative Prevention and Restoration (PAR) Model" (see below) is a promising new approach which may result in a significant reduction of the indicators shown above.

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The "Punitive Model"

The most common approach to violence -- from interpersonal brutality to international acts of terrorism -- is punitive. This model has been used by human beings for more than 10,000 years.

Seen from a punitive perspective, those committing violent acts are viewed as wrong, evil, criminal, inhuman, and repugnant. Under this approach, the reaction to violence is typically characterized by fear, outrage, revenge, scapegoating, and punishment. Often, the response itself is violent and there are often calls for violent action against those committing violent acts.

For a more complete review of the punitive model, see the Edvita Professional Briefing, Overview: The Violence Prevention and Restoration Model (requires Acrobat Reader).

The PAR Model

Click here for more information about the PAR Model by theorist and author Ari Cowan.

The Violence Integrative Prevention and Restoration Model ("PAR Model" or "Integrative Model") is a new, comprehensive approach to violence response and prevention. American author and theorist Ari Cowan developed the model in the course of writing his forthcoming books, Violence and the Alchemy of Being and Acts of Courage, Acts of Cowardice: America and the Culture of Violence. The model, for which Edvita has an exclusive license, is used in Edvita's violence response educational courses and materials.

The goal of the PAR Model is to reduce and prevent violence and the resulting injury, loss of life, threats to security, war, and unnecessary expenditure of resources. The model is not so much concerned about who is "right" and who is "wrong" as it is about the epidemiology of violence and effective actions which prevent and eliminate it.

The model stresses wisdom, compassion, and healing rather than fear, punishment, and revenge. It acknowledges the "justification" for thoughts and feelings of malevolence, but shows that violent acts will not contribute to the end of violence.

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The PAR Model differs significantly from the punitive model (see the discussion above). The seven central components of the model are:

	A new definition of violence.
	Identification of nine manifestations of fear which can drive violence.
	Definition of the violence objectification/action process.
	Three degrees of severity.
	The "five bodies" model to describe individual and collective human existence.
	Incorporation of human developmental stages.
	The concept of resiliency.

These seven components are viewed in a public health context rather than in a religious or political context. The public health approach provides a disciplined approach while allowing the model to be applied universally.

For a more complete review of the PAR Model, see the Edvita Professional Briefing, Overview: The Violence Prevention and Restoration Model (requires Acrobat Reader). To view additional information on the "five bodies," click here.

NOTE: The "Violence Integrative Prevention and Restoration Model," "PAR Model,""Integrative Model," "Integrative Power Management Model," and "IPM Model" are trademarks of SpiritRidge Institute, LLC. The material related to the PAR and IPM Models which are incorporated into Edvita Institute's educational courses and materials are Copyright ©2000 - 2008 by SpiritRidge Institute, LLC and is used with permission under exclusive license.

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