Peer support baseline report: Tangentyere Council Her Story Mparntwe

Abstract

This report presents baseline findings from the evaluation of the Men’s Behaviour Change Program – Peer Support (MBCP-PS) initiative, funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation’s Specialist Domestic, Family Violence grants. The initiative integrates peer support workers (PSWs) with lived experience of Men’s Behaviour Change (MBC) programs to support current participants, leveraging shared experiences to enhance engagement, accountability, and behaviour change. <br><br> The report documents the program model, practice learnings, and key impacts through qualitative data collection, including focus group discussions with MBC participants, staff, and PSWs. Findings highlight the strengths and challenges of integrating peer support into MBC programs, with particular focus on cultural safety, program sustainability, and the role of lived experience in behaviour change interventions. The evaluation also identifies the need for clear program guidelines, role clarity for PSWs, and long-term support structures to sustain program outcomes. <br><br> Key recommendations include strengthening cultural responsiveness, ensuring structured supervision for PSWs, and addressing challenges in recruitment and retention. The report contributes to the evidence base for peer support models within perpetrator intervention programs and highlights the unique benefits and considerations for Aboriginal-led initiatives.