A broader range of providers engaged in counselling services for perpetrators

The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria will run a 12-month innovative perpetrator intervention pilot commencing in 2020 that aims to expand the range of programs offered to keep more perpetrators in view and accountable for their choice to use family violence, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of women and children. It is intended that the pilot program will:

• prioritise women and children’s safety and wellbeing. The needs, views, wellbeing and safety of victim-survivors are central to the intervention
• provide comprehensive assessment and intensive case management for family violence perpetrators with complex needs, namely those with alcohol and other drugs use and/or mental illness
• transition perpetrators into Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCP) that address family violence and co-occurring issues, to support men to take responsibility for their choice to use violence and change their behaviour
• generate evidence about family violence case management and the contribution of alcohol and other drug use and mental illness to perpetrator-driven risk in the context of family violence

The legislative change required to transfer power from the Secretary to the Chief Executive Officer of Court Services Victoria has been made. This was included in the Family Violence Protection Amendment Act 2017, which was introduced into Parliament on 7 March 2017 and passed on 10 May 2017. This reform commenced on 29 March 2018.

An external supplier was procured to develop the program design. A final report was delivered in April 2020.

Slot gameInternal works have commenced to operationalise the program design, including broad consultations focussing on integrated service delivery, the development of Operational Guidance and practice tools, contract development for external counselling services, and recruitment of court-based staff.

Forecast implementation date: 31 December 2020.