Batterer's rehabilitation program tries to find funding

COLUMBIA — Despite its success, a lack of funding has left Columbia's Men Employing Nonviolent Directives program struggling to provide male batterers with services.

Ted Solomon, a counselor who teaches MEND classes, said he and other leaders of the program first learned about funding cuts in July. The program was funded by a state grant, but that particular grant is going toward only funding programs for domestic violence victims and children—not batterers—this fiscal year. “I’m not saying that’s a bad priority,” Solomon said. “It’s just no longer available for us.”