It’s a call to action. January 26th
Changing the date of Australia Day is not just symbolic—it’s a call to action. It’s a chance for our nation to truly hear, act, and stand in solidarity with the…
Communicare has welcomed the opportunity to play a leading role in the joint Federal and State Government Family Domestic Violence Response Team (FDVRT) initiative.
Communicare will be rolling-out early intervention response services across five locations in Bunbury, Northam, Joondalup, Midland and Fremantle.
Northam and Bunbury will commence on 1 March 2024, and Midland, Joondalup and Fremantle will commence on 1 July 2024
CEO Melissa Perry said this initiative was part of $3.3 million in funding provided to the Western Australian Government under the Australian Government’s Innovative Perpetrator Responses initiative.
“Communicare has been providing Family Domestic Violence and Abuse services for more than 30 years, including 20-plus years in the Men’s Behaviour Change space,” Ms Perry said.
“Our experience has clearly shown that we cannot address this chronic social problem if we don’t drive change with men who use violence.
“Since the acquisition of White Ribbon Australia in 2020, Communicare has become one of the only organisations working across the whole range of Family and Domestic Violence and Abuse strategies, from primary prevention to men’s behaviour change and victim support services.
“This initiative will play a significant role in helping us to further support the safety of women and children by addressing the attitudes and power imbalances that allow men’s violence to exist.”
WA Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton said men who choose to use violence in their relationships must be held accountable for this behaviour and be provided tools and strategies to change their behaviour. “There is no excuse,” Ms Winton said.
“To stop family and domestic violence, we need to work with men who choose to use violence to have them take responsibility for their actions and seek help.
“By introducing this innovative perpetrator response alongside our Family and Domestic Violence Response Teams, we are building on a strong foundation of coordinated service delivery, adding expertise and direct intervention with men who choose to use violence.
“Communicare is well-positioned to deliver this trial, as they are experienced in working with men who use violence.
“I look forward to working with Communicare on a new way of operating to help stop family and domestic violence and improve safety for victim-survivors.”
Melissa Perry, Chief Executive Officer
Media contact: John Cooke I 0433 679 780 I jcooke@communicare.org.au
