Perpetrator interventions

Men's Behaviour Change Programs

Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) are mostly group-based programs and services that focus on working with men to enable them to recognise their abusive behaviours and develop strategies to stop them from using violence or abuse.

View the list and contact details of registered providers offering a program if you are interested in participating in a program.

Register to be involved in delivery of programs.

Men’s telephone counselling and referral service

The NSW Government is providing $2 million over three years for NSW’s first telephone counselling and referral service for violent or potentially violent men to help reduce domestic violence. Changing the behaviour and attitudes of men who use violence lies at the heart of reducing domestic and family violence.

The Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service includes:

• a toll-free number across NSW, 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
• trained counsellors who support male callers to take responsibility for their abusive behaviour and end the violence against their family;
• referrals for callers to men’s behaviour change programs or other service providers for longer-term support, such as specialist counselling or legal advisory services, and;
• support for family members who call the line because they are concerned about the behaviour of a male partner or family member.

The service is operated by No to Violence which has more than 20 years’ experience in managing men’s referral services interstate.

Automatic Referral Pathway to the Men's Telephone Counselling and Referral Service

The Automatic Referral Pathway to the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service supports a consistent and integrated response to domestic and family violence incidents in NSW.

The Automatic Referral Pathway:

• facilitates automatic referrals of adult males from the NSW Police Force to the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service;
• applies to adult males who have been charged and/or whom an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order has been applied for or issued against following a domestic and family violence incident;
• considers consent and the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service will request the man’s consent to engage with the service when they make contact;
  
• offers immediate counselling  and referrals to appropriate support services.

Automatic Referral Pathway Privacy Notice

1. What is the Automatic Referral Pathway?

The program involves telephone counselling provided by the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service, a non-government organisation contracted by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services for men who;

• have been charged with a domestic violence offence, and/or;
• are subject to an application for, or a finalised, apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO).

2. Why have I been contacted?

If you meet this criteria, your information has been automatically transferred from the NSW Police Force to a secure portal at the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service.

You can choose whether or not to speak with the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service. There is no obligation on you to participate in telephone counselling, and you may stop at any time.

3. What can the Men’s Referral Service do for me?

A Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service worker will provide you with immediate counselling and information, and will also assess if there is any existing threat to you or anyone else. Your case manager may also refer you to other local support services that can help you.

4. Protecting your information is important to us

Your personal and health information is stored on a secure portal, and all Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service staff are trained in the safe handling of information. After contact from a Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service case worker no further information will be shared without your consent.

5. Your consent, your information

Your consent remains valid until you no longer wish to participate in telephone counselling. You can withdraw your consent at any time by telling your case worker.

6. Information exchange

In some cases it may be helpful for the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service to share your information with other service providers, such as:

• health services;
• men’s behaviour change services;
• counselling services;
• employment services;
• other social services.

This information exchange will only occur with your consent.

7. When are we obliged to disclose your information?

We are required by law to disclose your information in certain circumstances, such as:

• if your information is subject to a subpoena;
• if your information relates to the commission (or possible commission) of a crime or investigation of a crime;
• where your safety or another person’s safety (including a child) is considered to be at risk.

8. What is the complaints process for privacy breaches?

If you feel there has been a breach of your personal information related to the Automatic Referral Pathway, you can make a complaint to the Men’s Telephone Counselling and Referral Service by contacting the Operations Manager on 03 9487 4500.

Information about privacy

Visit the Information and Privacy Commission NSW website or contact the Information and Privacy Commission NSW for general enquiries on 1800 472 679 or email: ipcinfo@ipc.nsw.gov.au

Read the NSW Automatic Referral Pathway Privacy Code of Practice and Health Privacy Code of Practice.

Avow

Avow is a free mobile phone app for people in NSW who have an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) or a domestic violence charge. Avow information, planning tool and tips can help users better understand and comply with their ADVO conditions and prepare for court. The app means users can find their ADVO and court information directly from their mobile phone device and read about the court process, the consequences of breaching an ADVO, and use the Avow planning tool to comply with their order.

Key features of Avow:

• Pin access for security
• Frequently asked questions about ADVOs and attending court
• Automatic reminders to attend court and other key dates
• Easy access to the user's ADVO
• Tools and tips about ADVOs and court
• Links to support services

Avow can be downloaded on your mobile phone from Google Play or Apple App Store.

National Domestic Violence Order Scheme

The National Domestic Violence Order Scheme aims to better protect victims and their families. Existing state and territory laws protecting victims and affected family members from domestic violence have not changed.

If you have an DVO, it will be enforceable by local police regardless of where the DVO was issued.

Read further information about the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.