Wyndham service providers will share in nearly $1 million to grow family violence programs that encourage perpetrators to change their attitudes and behaviour.
The state government has allocated $965,269 to expand men’s behaviour change programs and men’s intake and referral services in Wyndham, to be delivered by LifeWorks Relationship Counselling and Education Services and Djerriwarrh Health.
This is in line with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence and will provide up to 220 new places in the program.
The men’s behaviour change program is a group-based educational program that holds perpetrators to account, challenges their use of violence, and monitors and responds to any risk they pose. It is different to anger management programs and relationship counselling.
Evidence from the United Kingdom has found these programs can reduce the use of physical and sexual violence, and increase victim survivor’s perceptions of safety.
The program is available to family violence perpetrators over the age of 18 who meet a range of criteria under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said: “We’re proud to be investing in Wyndham to encourage perpetrators to change their behaviour and keep women and children safe.”
