Stamping out violence before it happens is quite an ambitious goal, given the widespread use of it we’re seeing in the current nationwide epidemic, but as with many bad things, it’s better to try to prevent them than have to suffer consequences.
Local service provider Primary Care Connect’s People Who Use Violence program puts the onus back on men and those who are using violence to take control of changing their behaviour and accepting accountability by reaching out for available support.
“It’s never too early to reach out for help if you are sensing signs of aggression; it’s never too early to reach out for help to stop hurting the ones you love,” PPC’s Shara Scott said.
“You don’t need to hit someone to know that your behaviour is not okay, so we’re trying to empower those people.”
The free program is not a new one, but given the spike in gender-based violence this year and the death of Cobram woman Emma Bates, where PCC worked in conjunction with NCN Health to provide drop-in support for the Cobram and Moira community, it’s been rejuvenated and put back in the spotlight.
The facilitators understand that it might be hard for victims to hear there’s support available for perpetrators, but they say prevention is key to making the much-needed family violence generational change, particularly violence against women.
Unlike court-ordered behaviour change programs where some participants resentfully find themselves in a group class full of familiar faces, the People Who Use Violence program is voluntary, one-on-one and entered via self-referral.
There is no maze to fumble through to engage, no identifying yourself to several staff; you can simply jump on the website and fill out your own referral, where you will then be contacted by case worker Brett for non-judgmental and personalised sessions.
“It’s for people who are using family violence, or identifying within their relationships that they’re starting to do things that are causing concern that might be causing fear within the people they live with,” PCC executive manager for family violence Kim Scott said.
“It provides direct case management support for clients to support them to change their behaviour and make positive changes for themselves, but also for their families as well.”
Program facilitator Brett said being able to self-refer to the program made it easily accessible.
There is currently no waitlist for the program, so those looking to make behavioural changes can get started immediately. Brett will help them identify their individual goals and what support they need and can also connect them to other helpful services.
“A big part of the program is the education; understanding what family violence is,” Brett said.
“Technically I’m not a counsellor; it’s what’s called motivational interviewing, trying to find strengths within the client that can be built on to help them.”
Most clients generally spend 10 to 20 hours seeing their program through with Brett via the one-on-one weekly, hour-long sessions, but that can vary depending on each individual’s needs.
Brett likes to do the first couple of sessions face-to-face with his clients but said he was flexible when it came to their working hours and locations and could provide phone sessions when more suitable.
“It’s a big step for them to take that first step; for them to actually acknowledge ‘okay, I’m doing something wrong, I need to change my ways and reach out and get help’,” Brett said.
“That is something I will tell them to praise themselves for.”
Primary Care Connect has no tangible way of measuring the program’s success but its staff believe not seeing clients back in court for violent offences or returning to the program is proof of its effectiveness.
For more details, phone Primary Care Connect on 5823 3200 or visit: www.primarycareconnect.com.au