DFV Funding for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs

1 December 2020

DFV Funding for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs

Frontline domestic violence services on the border will benefit from additional funding this week to ensure victim-survivors can access the help they need as NSW continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

Member for Albury Justin Clancy announced funding for local service providers under the COVID-19 Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Grant program funded by the Federal Government and allocated by the NSW Government.

“I have been seeking government support for our DFV programs here in Albury and beyond,” said Mr Clancy, “and was pleased to hold meetings last week in Albury with the Attorney General and Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence to provide him with information about the local situation and local needs.

“In particular I have been stressing to the Minister the need for DFV programs working with men who are seeking help to deal with their behaviour. I am grateful the Minister has responded with this funding now.”

Local services which will receive the funding for programs targeting DFV needs:

• North East MBC – Establish Men’s Behaviour Change Program in Albury
• Women’s Centre for Health and Wellbeing (Albury Wodonga) – employ DFV trauma counsellor/case manager to address increasing client caseload
• Relationship Australia Canberra & Region – delivery of Safer Pathways, which provides male victims of DFV with tailored, coordinated services based on their needs and level of threat
• Relationship Australia Canberra & Region – expand existing Men’s Behaviour Change Program to online sessions

“Domestic violence rates continue to shock our community, and our frontline workers are facing increased demand and additional pressures due to the pandemic,” Mr Clancy said.  

“This funding will help protect women and children as we work together to eradicate domestic and family violence from our communities.

“I also would like to acknowledge the advocacy and work of the Border Family Violence Network and our frontline workers for everything they do to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Stoltenberg said, Any program that can be introduced to support the Albury Community to address DV is a positive step.

“Unfortunately there are a lot of victims of DV out there who have been unable to tap into the support agencies to help them break the cycle.

“On the other side is the Male perpetrators who commit these offences and have no support, it may well be through their upbringing, or things that they were exposed to, which has caused them to commit DV. By being able to obtain support can only help them improve their behaviour and in turn make their potential victims safer,” DCI Stoltenberg said.

Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said nearly 100 service providers from across the state have been awarded a share in more than $12 million to support more victim-survivors.

The announcement also marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international awareness campaign that began on 25 November –  the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and will run until World Human Rights Day on 10 December.

These grants follow the $21 million investment in frontline domestic violence support services jointly funded by the Federal and NSW Governments and announced in May.

 For confidential advice, support and referrals related to domestic and family violence, contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63) or Men's Referral Service (1300 766 491).