WHEN Litsa walked into the first session of Anglicare’s ‘Breaking the Cycle’ program, she wasn’t expecting it to help tackle the problems she was having with her youngest son.
After approaching Werribee police for help, Litsa had been referred to the program, which helps parents deal with teenage violence and anger.
Her son, 15, had left school and was dealing with a range of problems which often resulted in violence and anger.
Litsa said her son had punched holes in walls and damaged property when he was angry.
After explaining her experience to Anglicare, Litsa was invited to take part in its eight-week program which teaches parents how to respond to their children’s anger and violence.
“It has taught me not to retaliate and be a more attentive listener. It hasn’t solved all our issues but it has given me the skills to handle what is happening and made me more aware of what to look out for so I don’t trigger problems.” Litsa said the biggest lesson she had learnt was that she was not alone.
“I thought I just had a bad kid but [the program] has shown me that I am not alone. Going there every week and knowing people know what I’m going through has been a comfort.”
Anglicare policy, research and innovation general manager Sarah Wise said the program helped parents improve their relationships with their children and in some cases, had broken the cycle of violence.
She said parents who took part reported a sharp reduction in the incidence of physical, psychological and verbal abuse.
Litsa said being a single mother had contributed to her son’s attitude and behaviour.
“When a father isn’t around that is a major issue. Being a single parent does contribute to their behaviour but it is not just solely a single-parent thing.”
Breaking the Cycle runs in Werribee and Broadmeadows.
More details: 9412 6133.
