Convene a committee of experts on perpetrator interventions and behaviour change programs

Implemented

Who is leading the change

Department of Premier and Cabinet

The Victorian Government convene a committee of experts on perpetrator interventions and behaviour change programs to advise the government on the spectrum of programs, services and initiatives that should be available in Victoria—in the justice system and in the community—to respond to all perpetrators across varying forms and risk levels of family violence. The committee should consider men’s behaviour change programs, clinical models such as cognitive behaviour therapy, strengths-based programs and fathering-specific models, online programs, and services for perpetrators from diverse communities. The expert advisory committee should consist of members with expertise in a variety of disciplines and practice approaches and with experience in working directly with perpetrators and victims of family violence, including those from diverse communities.

The Royal Commission into Family Violence concluded that the current response to perpetrators is under-developed and requires a broader range of interventions based on contemporary evidence of 'what works' in changing family violence perpetrators behaviour and keeping victims safe. In line with the Royal Commission's recommendation, we have established the Expert Advisory Committee on Perpetrator Interventions.
In 2016, the Expert Advisory Committee on Perpetrator Interventions (the Committee) was established to provide expert advice to government on the suite of interventions that should be available in Victoria to hold perpetrators to account. The Committee is chaired by Robyn Kruk AM, and is comprised of members with expertise in a variety of disciplines and practice approaches, and who have experience in working directly with perpetrators and victims of family violence, including Aboriginal Victorians and people from diverse communities.

During its term the Expert Advisory Committee on Perpetrator Interventions has included provided advice on:
- the principles that should inform Victoria's perpetrator interventions
- mapping the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and non-government services that have contact with perpetrators
- how to strengthen current practice guidelines for engagement with perpetrators of family violence by child protection practitioners
- the scope for innovative interventions targeted at high risk perpetrators
- improved responses for perpetrators from LGBTI communities, perpetrators who have complex needs, and perpetrators from CALD communities
- the trial and evaluation of new perpetrator interventions, alongside research being conducted by Australia's National Research Organisation on Women's Safety
The Committee's advice has also informed other key whole-of-government family violence reforms including the design of the Orange Door (Support and Safety Hubs), workforce development, and the multi-agency risk assessment and management framework (MARAM).

In recognition of the many intersections across the range of family violence reforms underway, the Committee has also engaged with other key family violence reform governance bodies including the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council, the LGBTI Taskforce and the Diversity and Intersectionality Working Group.

The Committee’s term is due to conclude in June 2018 and its final report will be subsequently provided to government.

Updated 18 May 2020