A NEW initiative to strengthen earlier intervention with men who choose to use violence will be trialled in five locations across the state, including Midland and Northam.

The federally funded initiative will trial a program to evaluate pro-active engagement with men who have used violence, following notification from police that they have been called to an incident of family and domestic violence.

Men who choose to use violence will be assessed for future risk of violent offending and offered case management and interventions. This may include counselling, aimed at reducing or managing their use of coercive, controlling, and violent behaviours.

The project, awarded to Communicare, is part of the $3.3 million in funding being provided to the state government under the federal innovative perpetrator responses initiative.

The trial will see new men's workers partner with the family and domestic violence response teams (FDVRT) in Midland, Northam, Bunbury, Joondalup and Fremantle over the next three years to engage male perpetrators.

Communicare will provide interventions and individual sessions based on the perpetrator’s use of violence and patterns of offending, offering tools and strategies to support them to make positive changes in their lives.

The trial aims to improve responses to perpetrators, reduce reoffending, and improve victim-survivor safety. An evaluation will be undertaken.

WA Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton said family and domestic violence was unacceptable.

“Men who choose to use violence in their relationships must be held accountable for this behaviour and be provided with tools and strategies to change their behaviour. There is no excuse.

“To stop family and domestic violence, we need to work with men who choose to use violence to have them take responsibility for their actions and seek help.

“By introducing this innovative perpetrator response alongside our FDVRT, we are building on a strong foundation of coordinated service delivery, adding expertise and direct intervention with men who choose to use violence.

“Communicare is well-positioned to deliver this trial, as they are experienced in working with men who use violence.

“I look forward to working with Communicare on a new way of operating to help stop family and domestic violence and improve safety for victim-survivors.”