CHILDREN and Family Services Ballarat (CAFS) will receive $301,000 over four years to expand its voluntary men’s behaviour change programs.
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Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay said the state government funding would allow for an 80 per cent increase in the number of men taking part in the program.
Mr Ramsay said the Ballarat region was identified as needing an expansion of the CAFS service.
“This is important for Ballarat but also for the surrounding shires, including Hepburn, Pyrenees, Moorabool, Golden Plains and Ararat, who all face family violence issues,” Mr Ramsay said.
“No area is immune to this problem.
“This funding will do much to work towards changing behaviours and attitudes that will lead to safer and better communities.”
Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said the government had committed $2.1 million over four years for a 22 per cent statewide expansion of men’s voluntary behaviour change programs.
“This funding will provide more than 1000 additional places in behaviour change programs for men who use violence,” Ms Wooldridge said.
The programs are delivered according to the ‘No To Violence’ standards and include group work, individual counselling, advocacy and support.
“The action plan outlines the Coalition’s commitment to preventing family violence occurring, to intervening earlier when it does occur, and to holding perpetrators to account,” Ms Wooldridge said.
Victoria Police crime figures released last month show a 15 per cent drop in Ballarat’s family violence reports.
fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au