• Eligible organisations are invited to make submissions to deliver two men's behaviour change programs to keep victim-survivors safe from family and domestic violence in Northam and Albany
• Programs will support accountability and behaviour change for men who use coercive, controlling and abusive behaviour in their intimate and family relationships
• This announcement is in addition to work already underway to establish a men's behaviour change program in Bunbury

Organisations can now apply to deliver two new men's behaviour change programs in regional Western Australia, which aim to break the cycle of family and domestic violence by holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The programs in Northam and Albany will provide timely, evidence-based services to men who use coercive, controlling or abusive behaviour in their intimate and family relationships.

Importantly, perpetrators will be supported to address the underlying attitudes, values and beliefs that can lead to their use of violence.

Increased monitoring of coercive and abusive behaviour is prioritised, and safety planning work will be undertaken with victim-survivors.

The programs will further strengthen existing family and domestic violence responses in the regions, which include the new Hedland Breathing Space service operated by Communicare, and the Innovative Perpetrator Response trial that commenced in March with the recruitment of men's workers to the local Family and Domestic Violence Response Teams in Bunbury and Northam.

It comes after the Cook Government committed $3.1 million over two years for three new men's behaviour change programs last November, as part of a $72.6 million family and domestic violence package announced during the 16 Days in WA campaign.

A men's behaviour change program is also being established in Bunbury, with the tender process well underway.

Men who are concerned about their behaviour towards others, or who are victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, can contact the Men's Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 000 559.

Two requests for tender have been released on TendersWA. Eligible organisations can seek more information here:
Albany Men's Behaviour Change Program - Tenders WA | Display Tender DOC202452245
Northam Men's Behaviour Change Program - Tenders WA | Display Tender DOC202452246

Comments attributed to Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:

"Ensuring the safety of victim-survivors of family and domestic violence is the number one priority of the Cook Government.

"Men's behaviour change programs are an important intervention to break the cycle of abuse by making men who choose to use violence take accountability for their actions.

"Having visited men's behaviour change programs and heard participants' stories, I know how effective these programs can be in challenging unacceptable behaviour and giving people the tools to change.

"The delivery of these programs in Albany and Northam is an important part of our Government's commitment to improving the safety of those impacted by family and domestic violence.

"I encourage eligible organisations to apply to deliver these crucial programs."

Comments attributed to Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:

"I'm pleased that the men's behaviour change program in Albany has reached this important milestone.

"This program will help men in the Great Southern region to reflect on their use of violence and change their behaviours.

"I am proud to be part of a State Government that invests in initiatives that support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence."

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