By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A MALE-LED family violence prevention campaign helping tackle the growing issue of domestic abuse is under threat as the State Government fails to commit to vital funding.
The Challenge Family Violence prevention project, which trains male leaders to educate other men about domestic violence in Cardinia Shire, the City of Casey and the Greater City of Dandenong, will run out of funds in November this year.
Evidence suggests men engaging with other men on the issue of domestic violence can be a more effective tool to break the cycle of abuse as compared to when women take on the educational role.
The decision comes as family violence reports in Cardinia Shire have more than doubled in the past five years.
Statistics indicate reports of domestic violence are made every 75 minutes across the shire, with children being witness to 41 per cent of the family violence incidents.
Council’s manager for Community Strengthening and Challenge Family Violence member Stephen Sparrow said male participants had shown promising signs of rehabilitation through the prevention program.
“Evaluation results have identified that participants have experienced significant transformative change as a direct result of their learning from the project, and have made substantial contributions to addressing the causes of violence within their work and community settings,” he said.
The City of Casey has the highest reports of family violence within Victoria, with 3840 reports to police in 2014, up 287 reports from the previous year.
State Government spokesman Kosta Pandos said future funding would be considered as part of the Royal Commission into Family Violence early next year.
“The Andrews Labor Government has embarked on Australia’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence that will determine the best ways to prevent and address this harm,” Mr Pandos said.
“Family violence is a gendered crime, and our response must tackle the negative attitudes and behaviour towards women.
“The Royal Commission into Family Violence will consider the importance of preventive responses in its recommendations that are to be delivered in February 2016.”
A mentor for the Challenge Family Violence prevention project believes the funds should have been carried over until the end of the commission.
“It’s a shame, we may lose some momentum.”
It’s believed the program has influenced thousands of people in Melbourne’s south-east.
The male-led program, unlike many other family violence programs offered, sees men challenge other men or society’s violence supportive attitudes, behaviours and the privileges that men have compared with women.
City of Casey manager for Community Safety Caroline Bell said the unique project recruited 70 influential male community leaders from business, sport, faith, government and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
“(These men were recruited), equipped and supported to prevent violence against women by promoting respect, non-violence, gender equity and challenging sexism, male privilege and aggressive masculinity within their spheres of influence,” she said.
Member for Bass Brian Paynter, a White Ribbon Ambassador and Challenge Family Violence mentor, said it’d be “hugely disappointing” to lose the “confronting” and “challenging” program.
“This issue needs leadership,” he said.
The Challenge Family Violence prevention program was funded over three years by the Department of Justice and Regulation.
The State Government has proposed tough new legislation on family violence to protect women from abuse in their own homes.
The government wants the Royal Commission into Family Violence to recommend a dangerous partners’ register.
In the submission to the commission, the government identified 10 key gaps that need to be overcome to address family violence, including weak legal consequences for perpetrators and under-investments in support services.
