Monitoring Victoria's family violence reforms: Service response for perpetrators and people using violence within the family

Abstract

This report, the final in a series monitoring Victoria’s family violence reforms, examines the service response for perpetrators and people using violence within the family. It assesses the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of interventions designed to hold perpetrators accountable and support behaviour change. The report identifies significant progress in the expansion of perpetrator interventions, including men’s behaviour change programs, case management services, and accommodation-based interventions. However, it highlights ongoing challenges such as long wait times, inconsistent service coordination, and gaps in culturally appropriate programs. The report underscores the need for a whole-of-system approach that integrates risk assessment, judicial oversight, and sustained investment in intervention programs. Recommendations include scaling up promising pilot programs, strengthening compliance and accreditation for men’s behaviour change services, and improving data management to enhance service coordination and monitoring of program outcomes.