In October 2018, the CIJ completed the broader review to identify best practice by courts in mandating perpetrator attendance and completion of Men’s Behaviour Change Programs. The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria accepted those recommendations and developed a new single, best practice model for the Court Mandated Counselling Order Program, which is a key service delivery offering of the Specialist Family Violence Courts.
The new model is consistent, robust and flexible to ensure it is able to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of perpetrator interventions. New Operating Standards have been developed to detail the responsibilities of both MCV and the relevant service providers contracted to deliver the program. It provides a greater level of rigour around the risk assessment and management of respondents who do not comply with the conditions of a Counselling Order, and provides a therapeutic approach towards increasing compliance with court orders, as well as promoting more respectful attitudes and behaviours.
A complex tender process was completed in 2019 to procure service provision of the new model. The Service Providers commenced delivery of the Court Mandated Counselling Order Program as of 2 January 2020.