Funding boost to help stop domestic violence reoffending

20 December 2022

The number of Men’s Behaviour Change providers targeting domestic violence offenders will be tripled as part of an $18 million joint funded commitment to reduce reoffending from the NSW Government and the Australian Federal Government.

The investment will expand the number of service providers from five to 16 and increase the number of locations across the state that offer programs from 15 to 29.

This joint commitment accounts for $15.8 million of NSW Government funding and $2.2 million from the Australian Federal Government.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Minister Natalie Ward said the funding was part of $700 million invested by the Perrottet Government to prevent domestic and family violence and support victim safety through the continuation of evidence-based early intervention, victim support and perpetrator interventions.

“No one in NSW should have to live in fear of domestic violence, which is why we hold perpetrators to account for their actions. Our priority is to prevent reoffending,” Mrs Ward said.

“Men’s Behaviour Change programs work with domestic violence offenders, educating them to recognise their unacceptable actions and make them aware of conduct that can trigger reoffending.”

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

Men and Family Centre Acting Co-manager Lainie Rees who have been working with men to end their use of violence for over 20 years  said the objective of our Men’s Behaviour Change Program is to promote risk identification and reduction, and create safety and wellbeing for women, children and families impacted by domestic and family violence.

“This funding allows us to continue to develop and implement responses to men’s violence, including behavioural change which is informed by a sound evidence base, ongoing evaluation, and reflective practice,” Ms Rees said.

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said working with men through behaviour change programs is an important part of the family and domestic violence response.

“We recognise that holding perpetrators of domestic and family violence to account and offering them opportunities to address and change this behaviour will reduce reoffending and make society safer for everyone,” Mrs Rishworth said.

NSW Government is committed to expanding non-government community-based men’s behaviour change interventions and developing the capacity of the community-based men’s behaviour change sector.

Registered service providers were given the opportunity to participate in an open tender to provide Men’s Behaviour Change Programs in NSW.

Funded service providers include: