Source: Australian National Party
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Released 26/02/2025
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Dr Marisa Paterson has welcomed $780,626 in funding from the Federal Government to conduct a trial to work with men from multicultural backgrounds who perpetrate domestic and family violence.
The ACT Government is partnering with Multicultural Hub Canberra (mHub) to develop a trial program providing services to perpetrators of domestic and family violence. The trial aims to achieve positive and lasting behaviour change for perpetrators while ensuring victim-survivors and their families are supported. The trial opened for referrals last year with service delivery commencing in early 2025.
Funding for the trial is provided under the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-27, with a total $3.37 million available to the ACT to undertake innovative approaches to address perpetrator behaviour. All trials using this investment will be evaluated to identify what works to support perpetrators to stop using violence.
The ACT Government engaged SEQURE Consulting Pty Ltd led by Dr Kate Fitz-Gibbon and Dr Hayley Boxall to undertake a scoping study to understand what services and systems already exist in the ACT, what works well in other jurisdictions, and what programs could be trialled in the ACT to complement existing programs. The scoping study is now publicly available.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth:
‘The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 recognises that ending gender-based is a whole-of-society effort and requires engagement from men and boys from a variety of backgrounds.
‘The National Plan also acknowledges cultures can differ in their attitudes towards gender roles, relationships, and family dynamics, which can impact the way gender-based violence is perceived.
‘That is why the Government has introduced and funded multiple preventative and early intervention initiatives like the Multicultural Hub Canberra across the country to engage men and boys.’
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Marisa Paterson:
‘The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 recognises the multicultural community has specific support needs that are better addressed through specialised strategies and programs.
‘The funding from the Commonwealth government provides significant support in helping us address the existing gap in culturally appropriate responses to domestic and family violence.
‘The program will provide individual support to men who are at risk of using or who are using domestic and family violence, with a view to future engagement in a group program. Support also includes crisis accommodation for perpetrators who need to leave the family home to de-escalate a situation, and culturally appropriate services to support victim-survivors.
‘This is an opportunity to hold perpetrators responsible for their behaviour and support them to stop using violence.’
Quotes attributable to Zakia Patel, Regional Director Multicultural Hub Canberra
‘We welcome the commitment of all Australian Governments to strengthening positive measures to combat family and domestic violence in the multicultural community.
‘People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds contend with language barriers, cultural and societal differences, which can become an obstacle to getting support in domestic and family violence situations.
‘This innovative approach, which supports behaviour change in perpetrators in language and in culture, removes a critical barrier to participation. Our goal is to design a program that meets the specific cultural needs of our community to lead to lasting change as well as protecting people at risk of family and domestic violence.’
If you are experiencing or have experienced domestic, family or sexual violence, please know you are not alone and help is available.
Support Services Contacts
Local supports
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)
Who: Anyone impacted by domestic, and family violence
Ph: 02 9280 0900
W: dvcs.org.au
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual violence
Ph: 02 6247 2525
W: crcc.org.au
Multicultural Hub Canberra
Who: Anyone with a multicultural background
Ph: 02 6100 4611
W: mhub.org.au
Victim Support ACT (VSACT) including VSACT specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach program
Ph: 1800 8222 72 or 02 6205 2222
W: victimsupport.act.gov.au
ACT Policing
Who:Anyone who requires police assistance.
Ph: 131 444
Please call 000 if you are in immediate danger
W: police.act.gov.au/online-services
24/7 Hotlines
1800 Respect
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 737 732
W: 1800respect.org.au
Full Stop Australia
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 385 578 (1800 FULL STOP)
W: fullstop.org.au
Lifeline
Who: Anyone who is feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or having difficulty coping or staying safe
Ph: 13 11 14
W: lifeline.org.au
13YARN
Who: Anyone who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and who requires support for any reason.
Ph: 13 92 76
W: 13yarn.org.au
Legal Support
Women’s Legal Centre ACT
Ph: 02 6257 4377
Legal Aid ACT Family and Personal Violence Unit
Ph: 1300 654 314 or 02 6207 1874
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Family Violence Prevention Unit
Ph: 02 6120 8850
– Statement ends –
Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases