Developing a Vietnamese Men s Behaviour Change Program

Transcription

1 Developing a Vietnamese Men s Behaviour Change Program

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3 Contents Acknowledgements... 2 Introduction... 3 Background... 4 About the Program:... 6 Collaboration... 6 Ongoing Community Education... 7 Session Improvements... 7 Development of the group to NTV standards... 8 Project Outcomes: a discussion... 9 Outcome 1 & Outcome Outcome Limitations to the evaluation method through surveys Conclusion and recommendations Appendix 1: Results Appendix 2: Reference list

4 Acknowledgements Developing a Vietnamese Men s Behaviour Change Program report writers: Editors: Robyn McIvor Katrina Markwick Bronwyn Thwaites Kate Green Relationships Australia Victoria has worked in partnership with the following organisations forming a reference group that has provided input, support and direction to the group facilitators and to the project: intouch Multicultural Centre against Family Violence Djerriwarrh Health Services Kildonan Uniting Care The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association Australian Vietnamese Women s Association Department of Human Services Neighbourhood Justice Centre Department of Justice Victoria Police Doutta Galla Community Health Brotherhood of St Laurence (Ecumenical Migration Centre) The family violence team of RAV s Sunshine Centre is particularly acknowledged ir mentoring, support, wisdom and sharing of resources with the Vietnamese facilitators of the Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence group and for sharing their manager. Special thanks to RAV s Kew Centre and Ballarat Child and Family Services for willingly embracing the Vietnamese facilitators and allowing them to undertake practicum training to complete their qualifications. 2

5 Introduction Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) has been providing relationship support services to Victorians for more than 60 years. Our centres have a range of family and relationship services for men including counselling, men s groups, family dispute resolution, assistance on relationship and parenting matters and education courses on relationship issues and personal growth. The Sunshine Centre runs entry level, behaviour and ongoing mentor groups for men who have been violent and controlling towards family members. In 2010, the Centre gained a Legal Services Board grant to establish a Men s Behaviour Change Program for members of the Vietnamese community in Melbourne s Northwestern region. This group was to be facilitated by Vietnamese speaking facilitators of both genders and to run for fifteen weeks with an initial focus on torture, trauma and cultural issues, with further content including themes covered in mainstream groups regarding responsibility of the men and safety of the women and children. The Sunshine RAV Centre managed the program in partnership with a reference group including Kildonan Uniting Care, Djerriwarrh Health Services, intouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, (intouch), Australian Vietnamese Women s Association, (AVWA),The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, (VFST), No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association, (NTV). The program s proposed outcomes were: 1. decreased prevalence of violence within the families of the men participating in the group as evidenced by the men s partners through women s stories that the violence has decreased. 2. increased access to support and relevant services for Vietnamese speaking women and children who have experienced family violence and Vietnamese men who have used the family violence. 3. increased learning in relation to family violence with the targeted Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community by the reference group, which may assist the partners in including new practices into work that would further enhance our work with men and our work around the safety of women and children. The program was accountable to a reference group comprising representatives from partner organisations. 3

6 Background The population of Melbourne s Northwest region is culturally highly diverse. For example, Australian Bureau of Statistics data 2006 for Brimbank and Maribyrnong show that more than 50% of the population speaks a language other than English, with Vietnamese the next most common language. CALD women are identified in the Victorian Government s Common Risk Assessment Framework (Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria, 2008) as one of the groups at greatest risk of family violence. Research has indicated that cultural difference, gender roles, familism, shame and collectivism often combine with factors related to the experience of migration to place immigrant and refugee women at heightened risk from domestic violence. (Pease & Rees 2008). There had been some previous work undertaken with Vietnamese men using family violence: This small Vietnamese pilot project has confirmed that it is possible to work with men of these communities. This pilot highlighted that any response must be grounded in and sensitive to the lived experience of the community and its culture. Training in working with family violence is a priority as workers in these communities have few skills or experience in screening, assessment and running intervention programs. (Melvin, et al 1999). In 2008, the Northwest Men s Integrated Partnership identified the need for specific CALD Men s Behaviour Change Programs through a consultative workshop held in February 2009 for all northwest men s family violence programs. Given the population data, the high number of Vietnamese women contacting intouch with regard to family violence and previous work undertaken with the Vietnamese community, the Northwest Men s Integrated Partnership proposed that a Vietnamese-speaking men s family violence group be established with a focus on the need for well-developed cultural sensitivity and understanding of the Vietnamese women s experience. Three of the partnership s member organisations - RAV, Djerriwarrh Health Services and Kildonan Uniting Care each contributed 10% of one year s family violence funding to the project which intouch enthusiastically agreed to manage. In early 2009, InTouch established a reference group with representatives from the three organisations, Australian Vietnamese Women s Association, The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture and No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association (NTV). This reference group guided the project and the employment, training, and mentoring of the facilitators - areas that were indicated as requiring of resources in the earlier Melvin report, (Melvin et al 1999). The history of the development of this reference group and the first Vietnamese men s family violence group is published in the compendium report: Vietnamese Men s Family Violence Program - Evaluation Report (intouch 2011). A second Vietnamese men s family violence group was run in 2010 through funding received via the Western Integrated Family Violence Committee, a donation given to InTouch and 4

7 generous in-kind support from the organisations represented on the reference group. There was insufficient funding for a further evaluation. This report, Developing a Vietnamese Men s Behaviour Change Program, is based on the evaluation of the third Vietnamese men s program, renamed Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence Group at the recommendation of the participants. It follows on from the recommendations of the first evaluation report and the proposed outcomes detailed in the project funding application. 5

8 About the program Facilitated by trained male and female Vietnamese-speaking facilitators, the program ran for 15 weeks in 2011, with an initial focus on torture, trauma and cultural issues as many of the men had come from a refugee background. Other content included the themes covered in mainstream men s behaviour groups regarding responsibility of men and the safety of women and children. Based on a recommendation from the first evaluation report, information about the group was disseminated widely through community events and festivals to maximise the number of referrals, including self-referrals. Ten men between the ages of 22 and 43 were involved initially, with one man leaving the group after two sessions: two of the men voluntarily self-referred two had an undertaking with conditions to attend one was referred by the Department of Human Services (DHS) two were court referred from Sunshine and Heidelberg one was referred by a lawyer one was a community-based order through community corrections service. The group was run at the Sunshine Centre s premises in the Harvester Centre, Devonshire Road, Sunshine. The Centre ran other programs on the same evening as the group, thereby increasing the security of the group leaders and reducing the isolation of the participants. As a result of recommendations from the reference group, a number of s were made during the program as follows. Collaboration The reference group was broadened to include representatives from Victoria Police, Department of Human Services, Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Department of Justice, and Doutta Galla Community Health. Broader representation on the reference group and increased awareness within service networks about the program and the previous groups contributed to a steady flow of referrals into this group. Reference group members advocated for ongoing funding throughout the year. 6

9 Ongoing community education The reference group s advocacy for further programs recognises the need for community education and development to enable Vietnamese men to speak openly about themselves and their behaviour. Future work would require ongoing education programs to raise awareness of this issue in the broader Vietnamese community. Session improvements The recommendations regarding improving the sessions were fully implemented, enhancing the quality of the work with the men. The supervisor who had been involved with the first two groups continued to supervise the facilitators for this group. Observation of the facilitators group practice occurred. The option for debriefing after a session was established although not generally required immediately after a session as the group leaders experience developed. All assessments were conducted at the Sunshine Centre enhancing the safety of the facilitators and the security and confidentiality of the participants. The partner contact worker and the group facilitators met with the Sunshine Centre Manager each week to discuss the safety of the women, the men s progress, themes that needed to be raised in the group, and referral options men, women and children. The partner contact worker was also supervised weekly by the Sunshine RAV Centre Manager. The increased communication between the workers involved in the Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence group enabled more thorough seamless practice to develop. The Sunshine Centre employed the group leaders for this project, which enabled the men to have the opportunity to talk with the facilitators beyond the group setting. Also, one organisation as a central referral point facilitated the referral process. The group s partner contact worker received further support as their work time overlapped with that of the Centre s mainstream partner contact worker. The worker also had access to established partner contact procedures. Halfway through the group program, a contact night was run partners of the Vietnamese men and the partners of the men attending the mainstream family violence group. A session of the Centre s mainstream Reconnecting program to help men reconnect with their children after violence was extended to the Vietnamese men s group. This session was well received and particularly pertinent as many of the participants had been referred to the group as a result of family violence impacting on their partner and children. During this project, the facilitators were funded by DHS to undertake specialist training in men s behaviour facilitation provided by Swinburne University. This enhanced their experience and practice in the group. 7

10 Development of the group to NTV standards The formalising of procedures for this group, enhancing of partner contact, increase in communication between the facilitators and partner contact worker and up-skilling of the facilitators, led to the reference group relooking at the NTV standards as they applied to the group. The reference group, with NTV input, agreed that once the facilitators have completed the course and subject to ongoing funding being secured to enable assessments to be offered regularly, the Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence Group has developed to the stage where it can be called a Vietnamese Men s Behaviour Change Program. The reference group has seen this as a major achievement of the project. 8

11 Project outcomes: a discussion The three key proposed outcomes of this project were: 1. Decreased prevalence of violence within the families of the men participating in the group as evidenced by the men s partners through women s stories that the violence has decreased. 2. Increased access to support and relevant services for Vietnamese speaking women and children who have experienced family violence and Vietnamese men who have used the family violence. 3. Increased learning in relation to family violence with the targeted CALD community by the reference group, which may assist the partners in including new practices into work that would further enhance our work with men and our work around the safety of women and children. Outcomes 1 and 2 In order to measure outcomes 1 and 2, the men were asked to complete a survey about their violent behaviour and their control over it at the beginning, middle and end of the group. The partner contact worker recorded information from the women at three stages through a narrative approach and when appropriate women, rather than at a prescribed time. The discussion is based on the findings of these surveys, the reference group insights and the understanding of the men and their partners gained by the workers who worked closely with them and conducted the initial assessment. The survey results are taken from the responses of the nine men who completed the group (as one of these men ticked disagree for every question in every evaluation, his results were omitted). The women s survey results are taken from the five women with whom the partner contact worker had regular contact and for whom the surveys were appropriate and useful to implement. In the early stages of the group, the facilitators experience of the men was of denial and minimisation of violent behaviour, leading to gradual recognition and disclosure of violent behaviour. The men s responses to the reflections on his behaviour table support this, in that there is a general pattern of responses constituted by the men responding not relevant ( never happened) to the use of all violent behaviours at the beginning of the group and yet responding noticeable better for all behaviours at the end. There was variation in the women s responses to the question of how likely they thought that the man would injure them again and wariness about their safety half way through 9

12 the group. An increase in the women s knowledge about family violence and increased awareness about their safety and the safety of their children may have contributed to this and is a major aim of partner contact. Towards the end of the group, there appeared to be less minimisation by the men of their violent behaviours and more acknowledgment, with some women reporting feeling safer from physical violence. However, the men s and women s responses to the last surveys indicated a lack of insight from the men into how the women and children experienced their behaviour: He doesn t see verbal abuse, emotional abuse, discipline too hard to children as types of violence. I feel he s too selfish, only think of himself. No concern re family or our well-being. (he s) out often than before letting me know. I feel no respect. Increasing financial abuse and emotional abuse. Interestingly, reports from the group facilitators were that the men took some time to report any behavioural s in the group. At the same time, the women were reporting positive s to the partner contact worker. To admit positive s in the group may have elicited a high level of shame men. As initially the men collectively blamed the women ir violent behaviour, there was perhaps a sense that such behaviour was acceptable for men. While denying their behaviour was abusive, they did not deny the behaviour per se, but its illegitimacy. Therefore to admit to positive s would imply such behaviour was not acceptable and render it abuse. At the completion of the 15-week group program, the eight men who attended the final week expressed a strong desire to do another group, and felt that the two-hour sessions and 15-week duration was too short. This very positive feedback group facilitators also suggests as do the men s survey responses that the behavioural shifts were occurring, i.e. no further physical violence, but for some the required attitudinal shifts were only beginning. Some of the women were also keen men to participate in further groups. There was an attempt in the men s surveys to measure s in the men s use of respectful, non-violent behaviours. Few s were found as the men mainly responded in the first survey that they were using these positive behaviours in their relationships and indicated the same at the end. This may be due to issues in literacy, cultural interpretation about respect and to whom it is afforded and a lack of insight into their behaviour. It is therefore difficult to draw any conclusions from the men s surveys regarding s in the men s behaviours. The experience of men who have used violence in their intimate relationships requiring longer term interventions to maintain non-violent behaviours and to move to non patriarchal attitudinal is common within the mainstream family violence programs represented in the reference group. Evidence to suggest that long-term programs over a year in duration are associated with lower levels of recidivism in violent behaviours than short-term programs 10

13 has been previously cited in the literature, (Gondolf, E.W. 1997). Women have also been found to view men s behaviour programs as too short to produce real (Keys Young 1999). Indeed, the experience at the Sunshine Centre is that a number of men enter a further Men s Behaviour Change program after completing one program or continue in an ongoing support group for many sessions. Unfortunately, funding is unavailable for a further Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence Program, preventing longer term work at this stage. At the conclusion of the group the men identified three key areas of learning and growth derived from the program: The law as it relates to family relationships and the consequences of continued use of violence. The men expressed a prior ignorance of the law in this regard and were appreciative of their new or deeper understandings supplied and reiterated by the facilitator. A greater understanding of the need for and the ability to regulate the affect (or control their temper as they expressed it). This contributed to greater feelings of control over behaviour, and an ability to direct or control it. An area of concern identified by a number of men and where further learning and growth may be required was in how to avoid taking difficult work or social pressures home and acting out on them. Difficulties with the boss and fear of being sacked were given as specific examples. Family or relational culture. With a couple of exceptions, the men were able to identify a desire to move toward relational values based upon presumptions of equality and a greater confidence/capacity to achieve this. An example of this that the men mentioned was the importance and value they placed upon learning about the impact of violent behaviour on both partners and children. It is particularly noteworthy that these themes were all identified and raised by the men themselves, which shows the benefit they derived and engagement they made with a group process that placed a high value on interaction and discussion in addition to didactic forms of information delivery. These areas of learning developed from the requirements of the men in the group and were not necessarily set topics at the beginning. However, these areas of need point to key areas of knowledge needed men to shift in their behaviour. Outcome 2 The Quality of Life questionnaires completed with the women indicated a high level of satisfaction with the information and support they received m to make decisions for their future. The importance of men s behaviour programs in providing effective partner contact for women to become empowered to make their own decisions and better 11

14 protect themselves and their children has been previously indicated in Howard s research, (Howard, J. 2008). And the benefit of men s behaviour programs in providing a supportive way for women to leave a physically abusive man has also been highlighted (Costello, S. 2006). The outposting of the Vietnamese women s partner contact worker from InTouch enabled a smooth referral process women into outreach work provided through Australian Vietnamese Women s Association and ongoing case management where required, through InTouch. InTouch and Doutta Galla Community Health Centre ran a Vietnamese women s parenting group concurrently with the Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence Program. There were also referrals women to lawyers, counsellors and mediators who were Vietnamese speaking or engaged a Vietnamese interpreter when needed. Referrals children where made to counsellors and children s groups as required. The increased access to support and relevant services women and children was enhanced by the regular partner contact and the ability to slowly introduce the idea of a referral and to build on this in future contact. The weekly meetings of facilitators and partner contact worker and regular supervision of all three workers also enhanced the flow of information regarding safety and enabled regular discussion regarding referrals. There was a strong request in the men s group for information and support regarding parenting of their children in Australia, in a full-time parenting capacity and as the nonresidential parent. There were a number of discussions in the men s group and information was provided on positive parenting, maintaining of the relationship with the children as the non-residential parent, and parenting roles. The importance of the men assisting and enabling their children to develop literacy and numeracy was also discussed. A quote from one of the facilitators encapsulates some of this discussion: We have already been the children, now it is their turn to play learn and live and to be the cultural ambassador of the family. The partner contact worker reported that the women disclosed that their children had gained the most benefit from the men s attendance in the group: No longer smoking in the car (respect and concern children s health). The way he talks to children; softer and calm and not yelling. He is no more violent to the children but increasingly is abusing me. When the last contact with the women was made, three of the women said the men had d their behaviour positively within their relationship and their behaviour had improved. Two of the women were planning to apply for a divorce and had referrals in place to facilitate this and now felt safe enough to proceed. Two were separated and there had been no contact possible with the two remaining women. The possibility of separating safely, as indicated previously, is an important outcome of partner contact and the men s reduced physical violence. 12

15 Some significant s were made by this group of Vietnamese women enabled through the partner contact, the use of referral services, the men s s in behaviour and the women s recognition of violence in their relationship as unacceptable. Outcome 3 Some of the learnings have been discussed throughout this report. Further learnings have been as follows: The name of the group. Some men were put off by the title Vietnamese Men s Family Violence Group and found Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence Group, more acceptable. While Vietnamese Men s Behaviour Change program would have been more acceptable to the men, this could not be used at the time this group was run as work was occurring to bring the group up to this recognised standard. This title may be a limitation in further culturally and linguistically diverse men s groups as there is a developmental process required to become a Men s Behaviour Change group. The men s ability to take responsibility ir behaviour and to acknowledge their use of violence took some time to develop. The men came to the group initially as they saw themselves as having issues not necessarily as using violence. The men indeed needed to do considerable learning about what intimate partner violence was before they could acknowledge their use of this. The ability of the men to take up the possibility of partner relationships based on gender equality and the equal value of the different roles they played in the family was very evident in this group. What was also evident was the need to continually tackle this area from various vantage points. The benefits to the men s children and to their relationships with their children were a major point of leverage. This project needed to be undertaken fully and thoroughly and to do less is disrespectful to the community with whom we were working. The initial community development work and the continued links with the Vietnamese community were important to the project s success. A reference group of committed organisations and committed workers are required to undertake work with a CALD community regarding family violence, and to make a difference men, women and children in that community. The regular meetings of the partner contact worker, project manager and facilitators made a difference to the safety of these families and the quality of the work in this program. The development of the facilitators skills has taken time, resources and their commitment to learning. Undertaking mainstream qualifications has not been an easy process and gaining practicum placements has also not been easy. There may need to be some course considerations for CALD workers entering men s behaviour work and seeking qualifications in this area. 13

16 Limitations to the evaluation method through surveys The surveys were translated into Vietnamese, however factors to take into account are: the men s Vietnamese literacy ability which varied in the group cultural issues regarding the interpretation of the question cultural issues regarding trauma impacting on completing the forms at all the low level of English language ability in the group the learning of the reference group around wording of questions e.g. respectful behaviours has a different translation in Vietnamese where respect is afforded more readily to the man or father. Some questions incurred a double negative and were difficult to analyse. The surveys were implemented at different times women, when it was appropriate during the work, rather than regular intervals. This made comparison of the men s views and women s views difficult at various stages. The sample size of men and women was small and further research may be useful to compare with results from future groups. A broader narrative approach is recommended for future research where the perspectives of individual men and women are gained at regular intervals during the course of the group. 14

17 Conclusion and recommendations The Vietnamese Men s and Family Violence Group is no longer a pilot project. Three successful groups have run, there is a solid reference group supporting this program and the No To Violence standards will be met once the training of the facilitators is complete and ongoing funding is secured. Referrals for this program continue once each group is completed and during the group. The need for a Vietnamese speaking culturally-appropriate Men s Behaviour Change group has been strongly advocated by the partners of the men at each phase of the project. Simply, the men would not have agreed to attend a Men s Behaviour Change program that was English speaking, according to the women. It is important that government bodies funding family violence work recognise that specific language speaking groups are required for CALD men to enable them to embrace behavioural s and move towards non-violent behaviour. This project has made a start with one specific cultural group of men in Melbourne s Northwest. There has been encouragement from referral sources to develop groups for Indian, Arabic speaking, and African men. The project has shown that the development of a specific CALD group is indeed possible. The requirements are: committed partnerships between organisations time to develop the group, the facilitators experience and the reference group s knowledge the community s readiness for such a program ongoing funding. Future evaluation, particularly in relation to the men s responses about the reduction in the prevalence of violence within their families, may be better informed by a narrative approach with the men and women rather then the use of written surveys. Research into the area needs to be longitudinal with longer term followup of the men and women. Although the men s programs in Melbourne s Northwest region at times have utilised interpreters in the groups, it is difficult for one or two men requiring this, to maintain their involvement. The usual shame of attending such a group is amplified by the man s lack of English ability. We have found that Vietnamese men will attend a group that addresses their violence within their intimate relationships, and their partners are supportive of them doing this. The Vietnamese men in this group would also like to continue the work on their behaviour. 15

18 An opportunity to participate in a first stage or entry group program prior to a Men s Behaviour Change program may also ground the men initially, enabling further behavioural and attitudinal to occur in the group. Recommendations The reference group recommends the following: that the Vietnamese Men s Behaviour Change group, as it will be known very soon, is run on a regular basis with solid partner contact provided simultaneously the establishment of broad geographical boundaries for referral of Vietnamese men into a behavior program and that groups be run in various municipalities Vietnamese workers and students are invited to observe future groups. With two trained facilitators, there is further possibility of program expansion and allowing facilitators to have periodic breaks. further advertising of future groups through Vietnamese radio, community events and current referral sources. Finally, this work is worthwhile and can make a difference to the use of violence in the Vietnamese families involved. The reader is encouraged to explore ways of sensitively and thoroughly undertaking family violence work in CALD communities where opportunities exist for collaborative work with services specialising in family violence and culturally specific work. 16

19 Appendix 1 : Results Reflections on my/his behaviour 1 Week 1 (male client) Week 15 (male client) Before Week 1 (female partner) (IO granted 6 months ago) My use of these behaviours with my partner/ex-partner (and children if relevant): His use of: Physical violence/abuse Not Relevant (never worse No at all Change Verbal and emotional abuse Controlling behaviour Threatening or intimidating behaviour Economic violence/abuse Sexual violence/abuse Speaking respectfully Not even Notice Listening respectfully n/a Compromising and negotiating fairly with my partner Compromising and negotiating fairly with me regarding arrangements children Taking responsibility for my behaviour Taking responsibility for his behaviour Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by my partner/ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by myself n/a Acknowledging and validating my partner s/ex-partner s concerns, feelings and point of view Acknowledging and validating my concerns, feelings and point of view Respecting my partner s/ex-partner s need for personal space and privacy Respecting my need for personal space and privacy Need explanation around privacy 17

20 Week 1 (male client) Week 15 (male client) Before Week 1 (female partner) Reflections on my/his behaviour - 2 My use of these behaviours with my partner/ex-partner (and children if relevant): His use of: Physical violence/abuse Not Relevant (never happened) worse worse No at all better Change better Verbal and emotional abuse Controlling behaviour Threatening or intimidating behaviour Economic violence/abuse Sexual violence/abuse Speaking respectfully Listening respectfully Compromising and negotiating fairly with my partner Compromising and negotiating fairly with me regarding arrangements children Taking responsibility for my behaviour Taking responsibility for his behaviour Woman minimizing his violent behaviour towards his ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by my partner/ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by myself Acknowledging and validating my partner s/ex-partner s concerns, feelings and point of view Acknowledging and validating my concerns, feelings and point of view Always Respecting my partner s/ex-partner s need for personal space and privacy Respecting my need for personal space and privacy Always 18

21 Week 1 (male client) Week 15 (male client) Week 2 (female partner) Reflections on my/his behaviour - 3 My use of these behaviours with my partner/ex-partner (and children if relevant): His use of: Not Relevant (never happened) Change for the worse worse No at all Physical violence/abuse Verbal and emotional abuse Controlling behaviour Threatening or intimidating behaviour Economic violence/abuse only when upset!! better Change better Sexual violence/abuse Speaking respectfully Listening respectfully Compromising and negotiating fairly with my partner Compromising and negotiating fairly with me regarding arrangements children Taking responsibility for my behaviour Taking responsibility for his behaviour Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by my partner/ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by myself only raise voice when upset Acknowledging and validating my partner s/ex-partner s concerns, feelings and point of view Acknowledging and validating my concerns, feelings and point of view Respecting my partner s/ex-partner s need for personal space and privacy Respecting my need for personal space and privacy 19

22 Week 1 (male client) Week 15 (male client) Reflections on my/his behaviour - 4 My use of these behaviours with my partner/ex-partner (and children if relevant): His use of: Physical violence/abuse Not Relevant (never happened) worse worse No at all better Change better Verbal and emotional abuse Controlling behaviour Threatening or intimidating behaviour Economic violence/abuse Sexual violence/abuse Speaking respectfully Listening respectfully Compromising and negotiating fairly with my partner Compromising and negotiating fairly with me regarding arrangements children Taking responsibility for my behaviour Taking responsibility for his behaviour Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by my partner/ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by myself Acknowledging and validating my partner s/ex-partner s concerns, feelings and point of view Acknowledging and validating my concerns, feelings and point of view Respecting my partner s/ex-partner s need for personal space and privacy Respecting my need for personal space and privacy 20

23 Reflections on my/his behaviour - 5 Week 1 (male client) Week 15 (male client) Before Week 1 (female partner) IO in place My use of these behaviours with my partner/ex-partner (and children if relevant): His use of: Physical violence/abuse Not Relevant (never happened) worse worse No at all better Change better Verbal and emotional abuse Controlling behaviour Threatening or intimidating behaviour Economic violence/abuse Sexual violence/abuse Speaking respectfully Listening respectfully Compromising and negotiating fairly with my partner Compromising and negotiating fairly with me regarding arrangements children Taking responsibility for my behaviour Taking responsibility for his behaviour Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by my partner/ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by myself yes and I haven t come acrossed to this Acknowledging and validating my partner s/ex-partner s concerns, feelings and point of view Acknowledging and validating my concerns, feelings and point of view Respecting my partner s/ex-partner s need for personal space and privacy Respecting my need for personal space and privacy 21

24 Week 1 (male client) Week 15 (male client) Reflections on my/his behaviour - 7 My use of these behaviours with my partner/ex-partner (and children if relevant): His use of: Physical violence/abuse Not Relevant (never happened) worse worse No at all better Change better Verbal and emotional abuse Controlling behaviour Threatening or intimidating behaviour Economic violence/abuse Sexual violence/abuse Speaking respectfully Listening respectfully Compromising and negotiating fairly with my partner Compromising and negotiating fairly with me regarding arrangements children Taking responsibility for my behaviour Taking responsibility for his behaviour Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by my partner/ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by myself Acknowledging and validating my partner s/ex-partner s concerns, feelings and point of view Acknowledging and validating my concerns, feelings and point of view Respecting my partner s/ex-partner s need for personal space and privacy Respecting my need for personal space and privacy 22

25 Week 1 (male client) Week 15 (male client) Before Week 1 (female partner) Reflections on my/his behaviour - 8 My use of these behaviours with my partner/ex-partner (and children if relevant): His use of: Physical violence/abuse Not Relevant (never happened) worse worse No at all better Change better Verbal and emotional abuse Controlling behaviour Threatening or intimidating behaviour Economic violence/abuse Sexual violence/abuse Speaking respectfully Listening respectfully Compromising and negotiating fairly with my partner Compromising and negotiating fairly with me regarding arrangements children Taking responsibility for my behaviour Taking responsibility for his behaviour Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by my partner/ex-partner Trying a solution to a disagreement suggested by myself Acknowledging and validating my partner s/ex-partner s concerns, feelings and point of view Acknowledging and validating my concerns, feelings and point of view Respecting my partner s/ex-partner s need for personal space and privacy Respecting my need for personal space and privacy 23

26 References Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Brimbank and Maribyrnong Census data 2006, Community Profile, viewed 14 November 2011, < Costello, S. (2006). Invitations to Collusion: A case for greater scrutiny of men s behaviour programs. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 27(1), Department for Victorian Communities. (2007). Family violence risk assessment and risk management: Supporting an integrated family violence service system. Melbourne: Family Violence Coordination Unit, Department for Victorian Communities. Gondolf, E.W. (1997). Batterer Programs: What we know and need to know. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 12(1), Howard, J. (2008). Listening to what matters: responding to the voices of women affected by family violence. Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter 32, Autumn, University of New South Wales, Sydney. intouch (2011). Vietnamese Men s Family Violence Program: Evaluation Report. Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, Victoria. National Crime Prevention Keys Young (1999). Ending Domestic Violence? Programs for perpetrators. Office of the Status of Women, Barton, ACT. Melvin, T., Muller, D., Chapman, A., Shine, R., & Edwards, R. (1999). A Study in Hope: The multisite evaluation and development of a better practice model for family violence services. Canberra: Department of Family and Community Services. Pease, B., & Rees S. (2008). Theorising Men s Violence Towards Women in Refugee Families: Towards an intersectional feminist framework. Just Policy, 47,

27 Relationships Australia (Victoria) Inc. Sunshine Office Level 1, 4 Devonshire Road, Sunshine Victoria 3020 Ph (03) Fax (03) sunshine@rav.org.au Web ABN Counselling Family Dispute Resolution Relationship Education Professional Training Family Relationship Centres