A man says he was viewed as a "bad person" by his children and "lost the love of his life" as the result of his violent and verbal abuse towards his family.
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The man, who can't be named for privacy reasons, accessed support through Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, through its program Fixed Address.
The program prioritizes the safety of women and children. It holds men accountable for their violence, while providing an opportunity for men to take responsibility for change.
The program was launched in June and Liberty CEO Kelly Lamb said it's a new whole-of-family approach and whole-of-community social response.
"If we want to stop domestic violence against women and children, we need to work with the men who perpetrate it," Mrs Lamb said.
Three years on from the violence, the man can't stop thinking about his family and how his actions have impacted them.
Through group sessions with the service, the man realised how his behaviour had impacted on many people and he needed to change.
After engaging with staff from the service, the man said he's now a lot happier and has learnt how to respect other people.
"It took me a while but I'm there now," he said.
Through Fixed Address, men who have used violence can access transitional housing, so that women and children are able to stay in their homes. Case management support can be accessed from men's behaviour change specialists.
Fixed Address and Engage2Change Men's Behaviour Change programs are delivered by a Consortium made up of Liberty, Kempsey Family Services and Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Service in Coffs Harbour.
Statistics
- One woman a week is killed by her partner or former partner in this country.
- Domestic violence is the single largest driver of homelessness for women and their children. 72,000 women and 34,000 children seek homelessness services due to domestic and family violence in Australia each year.
A partnership between the Consortium and Community Housing Limited sees two transitional housing properties available for the Fixed Address program in Port Macquarie.
Men seeking to change their violent behaviour can access the program by referring themselves. They can also be referred by external agencies and services providers, court processes and the justice system, partners or family.
If you need support, call Liberty on 6583 2155 or 1800RESPECT.
Coastal walk:
The Coastal Walk Against Domestic and Family Violence is on Sunday, December 1. Participants can do the full 11km starting at Lighthouse Beach at 8am, 3km starting at Flynns Beach at 9am, or 2km starting at Town Beach at 9.30am. Free buses will run from Westport Park to Lighthouse and Flynns at the start of the walk.
For more information about the event please visit www.libertyservices.org.au/coastalwalk
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