- Three new men’s behaviour change programs will be rolled out in regional Western Australia, helping to break the cycle of family and domestic violence
- Organisations have been awarded contracts to deliver the program in Northam, Albany and Bunbury
- The announcement comes during the Cook Government’s 16 Days in WA campaign
Three new men’s behaviour change programs will be rolled out in regional Western Australia, with contracts awarded to deliver these services in Northam, Albany and Bunbury.
Anglicare WA has been awarded the contract for Albany and Bunbury, working in partnership with Stronger Families Foundation.
Kadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation will support the Albany program, with Breakaway Aboriginal Corporation and Waratah Support Centre assisting in Bunbury.
Communicare will deliver the service in Northam in partnership with Kaata-Koorliny Employment and Enterprise Development Aboriginal Corporation (Keedac).
The programs will provide timely, evidence-based services to men who use coercive, controlling or abusive behaviour in their intimate and family relationships.
Importantly, people who choose to use violence in their relationships will be supported to accept responsibility for their actions, address the underlying attitudes, values and beliefs that can lead to their use of violence, and given skills around healthy ways to resolve disagreements in relationships.
Increased monitoring of coercive and abusive behaviour is prioritised, and safety planning work will be undertaken with victim-survivors.
There are currently a range of men’s behaviour change programs in place around Western Australia, including three residential programs.
The Cook Government committed $3.1 million over two years to expand that number to Bunbury, Albany and Northam, as part of a $72.6 million family and domestic violence package announced in November last year.
The announcement comes during the Cook Government’s 16 Days in WA campaign to end family and domestic violence.
Men who are concerned about their behaviour towards others, or who are victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, can contact the Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 000 559.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
“Ensuring the safety of victim-survivors of family and domestic violence is the number one priority of the Cook Government.
“Men’s behaviour change programs are an important intervention to break the cycle of abuse by making men who choose to use violence take accountability for their actions.
“The delivery of these programs in Albany, Northam and Bunbury is an important part of our Government’s commitment to improving the safety of those impacted by family and domestic violence.”
Comments attributed to Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
“It is important that men who choose to use violence be given the necessary skills and support to help them become better men.
“If left untreated there is a risk the behaviour continues in their existing relationship, or they simply move onto a new partner and repeat the same behaviour again.
“I am so pleased Bunbury has been chosen for this new program and for the extra options and support it will offer to our local service providers who all work so hard to reduce domestic violence and its impacts on our community.”
Comments attributed to Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
“I’ve been advocating for a local men’s behaviour change service for some time, so I’m excited to see the service provider announced.
“It’s vital that those who choose to use violence are responded to as the cause of family and domestic violence harm and offered opportunities to change.”
Comments attributed to Agricultural Region MLC Darren West:
“The Northam men’s behaviour change program will complement local family and domestic violence counselling services such as Share and Care, the specialist family and domestic violence counselling for kids run by Yorgum and the men’s workers in the Family and Domestic Violence Response Teams.
“I’m really pleased to see the successful service providers will be working in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, including Keedac here in Northam. It is so important that services be culturally secure and culturally safe.
“I thank Minister Winton and Premier Cook for committing to this important initiative in the Wheatbelt.”
