The Andrews Labor Government is protecting victims of family violence in Wyndham by boosting programs that encourage perpetrators to change their attitudes and behaviour.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas today announced the Labor Government is investing $965,269 in Wyndham for men’s behaviour change programs and men’s intake and referral services to be delivered by  Lifeworks Relationship Counselling and Education Services and Djerriwarrh Health.

This investment increases the state wide number of community based men’s behaviour change places by more than 500, bringing the total places to more than 4000 –which will be delivered by 32 community organisations.

A new and enhanced men’s behaviour change model, developed in consultation with No to Violence and Domestic Violence Victoria, has also been released to respond to key recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Family Violence and includes:

• Increasing behaviour change program duration from 12 to 20 weeks
• Additional support for victim survivors and their families
• Ensuring all family violence workers are able to share vital information with partner community services, such as specialist victims agencies
• Greater coordination with the broader community services sector.

The Labor Government is investing a total of more than $9.1 million for additional places in men’s behaviour change programs and $2.3 million for men’s intake and referral services.

The Government has committed an additional $150,000 No to Violence to help transition service providers to the new model and will support workforce development by funding 30 places in this year’s Graduate Certificate in Male Family Violence.

This investment is part of the Government’s unprecedented $1.9 billion package announced in the 2017/18 Victorian Budget to address the scourge of family violence. This record investment includes $49.4 million over four years for the Changing Perpetrator Behaviour initiative.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos

“Every Victorian deserves to live in a home free from violence. Holding perpetrators to account and treating the cause of the problem is key to achieving this.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We’re proud to be investing in Wyndham to encourage perpetrators to change their behaviour and keep women and children safe.”