Just days after a New England Times investigation detailed the shocking impact of the lack of available DV offender programs in the region, the NSW Government has an announced a significant expansion… to anywhere but here.
This week, the NSW Government announced they were investing an additional $10 million into Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs), with programs to be rolled out across an additional seven locations.
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.
NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said 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.”
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
Following this expansion, the programs will now be available across 35 locations in the State. But only one of those locations are in the New England, with all men seeking such services forced to go to Tamworth. The next nearest programs would require a drive to Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Gloucester, or Dubbo and more than likely an overnight stay.
Our exclusive investigation by Lisa Martin found that family and domestic violence rates were significantly higher in the New England, and the sole DV offender program in the region based out of Tamworth was over-subscribed and had a waiting list. The existence of a waiting list is a fact disputed by the relevant department, but confirmed by the Centrecare NENW office themselves. A proposed culturally appropriate program for Indigenous men to be run out of Armidale was denied funding.
A spokesperson for the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said the reason the New England did not get a MBCP in this expansion is because the expansion was for those areas that did not have a program.
11 of the 12 local government areas in the New England do not have a men’s behaviour change program, while other LGAs on the coast benefit from multiple services.
The Minister’s spokesperson repeated the department’s denials there was a waiting list for the Centrecare program in Tamworth.
Our investigation also found children removed from care are routinely prevented from returning to the family home because of requirements for completion of such an offender program, and Indigenous families are significantly more affected that non-Indigenous families.
The patterns of violence and keeping children separated from kin and in out of home care indefinitely is also believed to be a factor fuelling youth crime in the region.
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.
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