The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to create a safer New South Wales by taking a whole of community approach to addressing domestic and family violence, with Men's Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) rolled out across an additional seven locations.
$10 million is being invested to increase the availability of these programs across the state as part of the Minns Labor Government's $245.6 million package to address domestic and family violence in New South Wales, which has included:
- Implementing the state's first ever Primary Prevention Strategy
- Working to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence program state wide
- Introducing new offences for repeated and serious breaches of Apprehended Domesticc Violence Orders
- Making it harder than ever for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail
- Introducing Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders
- Modernising the definition of 'stalking' to include technology based harassment.
MBCPs are evidence-based group programs and services that focus on working with perpetrators of domestic and family violence to reduce or prevent the recurrence of abusive behaviour by a perpetrator towards a partner or family member. Between 2022 and 2024, 1,800 men participated in MBCPs in NSW.
The Minns Labor Government's priority remains the safety of victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and ensuring they have access to support when they need it.
Following this expansion, the programs will now be available across 35 locations through 15 providers. The new locations are:
- Nowra, Shoalhaven LGA - Anglicare
- Ulladulla, Shoalhaven LGA - Anglicare
- Forster, Mid-Coast LGA - Manning Support Services
- Gloucester, Mid-Coast LGA - Manning Support Services
- Lithgow, Lithgow LGA - Plus Community
- Blacktown, Blacktown LGA - Relationships Australia
- Maitland, Maitland LGA - Relationships Australia
Providers must be registered as compliant with the Practice Standards for Men's Domestic Violence Behaviour Change Programs and deliver evidence-based interventions, as well as additional one-on-one supports.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"The NSW Government is working hard to build a safer New South Wales.
"These programs are about taking accountability, about breaking the cycle of violence by working with perpetrators to understand their behaviour is never acceptable.
"The fact is to build a safer New South Wales, free from domestic and family violence, we need men who use violence to take responsibility for their actions and change their behaviour."
NSW Women's Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:
"Addressing domestic and family violence is a priority in our state and nation.
"The expansion of the Men's Behaviour Change Program will promote the safety of women and children by holding men accountable for their violent and abusive behaviour and supporting them to change.
"Programs like this can encourage participants to take responsibility for their behaviour and provide them with the skills and tools necessary to stop using violence and maintain respectful relationships."
MBCP provider Relationships Australia NSW CEO Elisabeth Shaw said:
"Promoting the safety of women and children is essential to preventing domestic and family violence in our communities.
"Our Men's Behaviour Change Program works with men who use violence to take responsibility, guiding them to be accountable for their actions and stop abusive behaviours in their family relationships.
"These men have recognised the need to change and have sought support to become safer partners and fathers. Through the program, they reflect on their behaviour, understand the underlying drivers of violence, and learn practical tools and strategies to manage themselves and de-escalate potentially aggressive situations.
"We also work with the men's current or former partners and their children to ensure their safety and support recovery. Many have shared with us that they are now living in safe and respectful homes, free from violence."
Support services:
For information on Men's Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN on 13 92 76.
