The Gunn Taborda Model for Domestic Violence Education

Dr. Caitlin Gunn and Dr. Caty Taborda created this trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender neutral curriculum for people who have been impacted by domestic violence. It is offered here as an openly licensed educational resource.

Unlike most traditional domestic violence educational content, this curriculum was developed through an understanding of feminist, queer, and critical race theories. Lessons and group sessions refocus violent and toxic masculinities as the central cultural forces to be interrogated, understood, and challenged. This serves to provide maximum flexibility while also neutralizing language otherwise condemning and reducing individuals to identities of “abuser” and “victim.”

The curriculum is appropriate for ages 16 and up, with particular benefits for those ages 16 through 21. It is applicable to people and groups of all genders – women, men, non-binary and gender-fluid people, and mixed gender groups. It was designed for in-person facilitation (with printable handouts) but could be adapted for online settings.