For more information and resources about working with men who use violence, visit the No To Violence website.
For support of veterans who use violence, go to the Veterans page
Programs
Perpetrator Case Management Program (PCMP) – Family Life
Family Life is now offering a new Perpetrator Case Management Program (PCMP) within the Family Safety team and offers additional support to men who are engaging with Family Life for Men’s Behaviour Change and/or Dad’s in Focus. We recognise this will not replace any mandated work, but compliment our work to improve safety for AFMs.
PCMP has been developed to support men with complex needs to engage more easily in the Men’s Behaviour Change Program and/or Dad’s in Focus. We’re able to offer this assistance to men who are awaiting a position in a group program, currently engaged, or are due to complete the program. The program can also be for men who have completed MBCP but need further and more intensive acceptance and commitment work.
If you have a client you would like to refer, email [email protected]
The following eligibility criteria apply for PCMP:
Removed from the home and are homeless or have unstable housing as a result of using violence against family members and require practical support around managing risk
Requires additional support prior to MBCP due to the following:
- Do not have English as their primary language
- Have complex needs that require intervention
- Require support and stability before they can safely participate in a MBCP, including mental health, alcohol & other drug concerns, and homelessness issues
- Complex needs including cognitive impairment and acquired brain injury (ABI) and require support around complex health and social issues (including specialist skills experience)
- May be at risk from other perpetrators due to the nature of their offending or relationship context
- Attending a MBCP and require additional practical and psychological supports to encourage and maintain their engagement and address the risk associated with their use of violence as well as risk to themselves (self-harm and suicidal ideation)
- Require additional practical support following completion of a MBCP
The PCMP should be utilised to enhance their engagement in the program and provide additional support. We are also able to use the PCMP as a group readiness process through engagement in CBT sessions – this could support difficult to engage / highly reluctant clients to be more open to the MBCP process.
When the man is first referred into the PCMP they receive 2-4 sessions with our Therapeutic Triage Practitioner (TTP). The TTP completes a Psychosocial Assessment (and can also assess any brokerage needs they may have). The man is then referred to the next stage of support which can include one or both of the following:
- Case Management with a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner for up to 6 sessions
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with our CBT Practitioner for up to 6 sessions
If the man is due to commence the MBCP, they will then receive regular bridging phone calls from a Family Violence Practitioner until a position has been secured.
Resources for practitioners
-Mapping domestic and family violence perpetrator pathways: This website provides a broad overview of the ways in which domestic and family violence (DFV) perpetrators come into contact with agencies and services across all Australian states and territories. The state-by-state maps reveal the pathways taken by DFV perpetrators across various intervention systems.
-Web of Accountability: Taken from the VicGov FV Reform Action Plan
-Men’s Behaviour Change Group Work: Minimum Standards and Quality Practice Manual: A DHHS and No To Violence guide.
-Opportunities for early intervention: bringing perpetrators of family violence into view The RMIT Centre for Innovative Justice report lists a range of recommendations highlighting ways the justice system can interrupt the cycle of family violence to make perpetrators more visible.
-National Outcome Standards for Perpetrator Interventions: The National Outcome Standards were endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
-Men’s Family Violence Help Cards: This business card-sized resource concertinas out to nine double-sided pages filled with information to help men who use violence against their partners and families to seek help.
-Men Think Safe Act Safe: This easy English book was developed by the Southern Melbourne Integrated Family Violence Partnership (IFVP) to provide information for men who use violence. Southern Melbourne IFVP would like to acknowledge these contributors.
– Integration case studies: — Kildonan UnitingCare Family Violence Intervention Program — Men’s Behaviour Change
– Convicted Abusers Reflect on Their Violent Behaviour Watch this 15 minute video from The Atlantic that takes an inside look into a men’s behaviour change program.
– Call Me Dad video of an Australian men’s behaviour change program