A new family violence program in Ulladulla is attempting to keep women and children safe by working with their partners to take responsibility for their actions.
Anglicare’s Men’s Behavioural Change program has been operating in Ulladulla for a few months and is now looking to expand to include group work.
“Anglicare is committed to the safety of women and children and we acknowledge that men taking responsibility for their behaviour is a way to make women and children safe,” says Carolyn Bateman, Anglicare’s Program Manager.
Until January last year, there were no men’s behaviour change groups south of Wollongong.
For Carolyn, her passion for starting this group in the Shoalhaven came from sitting with men who were aghast at who they had become – many like their own fathers who had also been abusive.
Anglicare’s Men’s Behaviour Change Program is now offering groups for men who want to take responsibility for their actions and change their ways. These are men who want to be the best dad, husband, partner and man they can be.
“The goal of the program is to keep women and children safe by supporting and advocating for men to take responsibility for their behaviour,” explains Carolyn.
“The groups run for 10 sessions. Participants share their experiences and help each other be accountable for their actions.”
Men who are interested must attend two pre-group consultations with Anglicare’s Behaviour Change Co-ordinator to see if the group is suitable for them. The men’s worker can also help with referrals to various support services including counselling, drug & alcohol services, and parenting support.
An Anglicare Women’s Advocate contacts the men's current and former partners to offer support, referrals and safety plans where necessary.
The program has the support of local women’s family and domestic violence services.
For more information about the program, contact Anglicare on (02) 4424 7100.
Media contact: publicaffairs@anglicare.org.au