Innovative perpetrator intervention to stop the cycle of violence

The Albanese Labor Government will provide more than $3.1 million over four years to the Tasmanian Government to deliver two trial programs aiming to break the cycle of violence against women and children through new programs focused on perpetrator behaviour.

Under the Innovative Perpetrator Response program, the trials will focus on family and domestic violence perpetrators through crucial interventions and supports to minimise risk of reoffending.

The two projects are:

• $2.09 million for a behaviour change program for perpetrators who are court mandated to attend a rehabilitation program as a condition of a Family Violence Order. This trial will provide psychoeducational and therapeutic intervention to the perpetrator as well as safety checks and referrals for their victim-survivors; and
• $1.28 million to trial an intervention program in the Tasmanian Prison Service for people held on remand or on a short sentence. This early intervention will provide intensive case management and holistic support across the perpetrator’s life-path development including housing, employment, mental health, parenting and relationships to support rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

As part of the second project the Tasmanian Government will employ a clinician, program facilitator, and clinical supervision along with professional development.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Albanese Labor Government is proud to support innovative approaches to end the cycle of violence.

“Under the First Action Plan of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032, both the Commonwealth and states have committed to joint action to strengthen systems and services, to better hold people who choose to use violence to account,” Minister Rishworth said.

“These programs are about early intervention and response, to change the behaviour of those perpetrating violence and support them to reintegrate in the community. They aim to work intensively with domestic violence perpetrators to stop their violent behaviours so that they do not re-offend.

“Through these programs, we are not only holding offenders accountable, but also improving the safety of women and children experiencing, or at risk of experiencing family, domestic, and sexual violence.”

Tasmanian Attorney-General and Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation Elise Archer said that preventing and responding to family violence is a top priority for the Tasmanian Government.

“I welcome this funding which builds on our Government’s $100 million commitment towards the prevention of family violence under our Third Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan 2022-27: Survivors at the Centre,” the Attorney-General said.

“These projects will also complement the existing and significant suite of programs available that provide serious offenders with opportunities to address their offending as well as support and provide protection for those exposed to family violence.

“As Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation, I will continue to improve and expand services and programs for inmates to promote opportunities for change, to break the cycle of reoffending, and ensure our community is safe for all Tasmanians.”

Assistant Minister for Social Services Justine Elliot said that all states and territories are progressively receiving similar funding to Tasmania, to trial innovative approaches to address perpetrator behaviour.

“It is vital that both the Federal Government, and state and territory governments work together under the National Partnership on Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence Responses to provide innovative projects that address the impacts of violence on the community,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.

“Through these trials, Australia is presenting a united front to combat perpetrator behaviour, and taking steps towards our shared goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation.”

The 2022-23 October Budget committed $25 million from 2022-23 to 2026-27 to partner with states on innovative responses to address perpetrator behaviour. A further $2 million from 2023-24 to 2024-25 was committed in the 2023-24 Budget.

Other Government investments in perpetrator-focussed measures include:

• $10.8 million to continue funding No To Violence for a Men’s Referral Service and Brief Intervention Service
• $8.5 million for early intervention initiatives in relation to people using or at risk of using violence.