South-west family violence services welcome $20 million response funding amid coronavirus crisis

Warrnambool family violence support services have welcomed an additional $20 million in funding for perpetrator reform programs.

Over the past month, the state's Men's Referral Service has reported an 11 per cent increase in calls compared to last year.

Warrnambool Senior Sergeant and family violence training officer Russell Tharl said when perpetrators could not leave the family home and stay with a close contact, the police unit accessed accommodation options through Salvo Connect and the Men's Referral Service.

"Any increase in funding is welcomed," he said. "It gives recognition for men's services and brings them to the front so men can see there's help and maybe make their own contact.

"We are down a bit on our usual numbers of family violence reports. This could be because victim-survivors can't make reports or families are living apart and, because of the restrictions, can't see each other."

While Brophy Family and Youth Services has not run its group Men's Behaviour Change program since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief executive Francis Broekman said staff had shifted to therapeutic counselling services via phone calls or teleconferencing and have increased their hours, working up to 10 hours with each client.

"Our numbers have still been very high, but not abnormally high that we'd anticipate," Mr Broekman said.

"We have been working with individual men separately.

"Our workers are working a lot longer to try and work through issues and keep families are safe."

Mr Broekman said the revamped program due to the pandemic could provide better outcomes for families.

"In COVID we're finding individual work is better and I think both programs will be the way to go in future," he said.

"When delivering group program in neutral setting, you can manage people better and pick up more cues. In a group dynamic it can make men more accountable to the group.

"But with therapeutic counsellor, (you) can get to deeper issues than you can in a group work setting.

"The two together are really powerful."

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Emma House chief executive Ruth Isbel said the funding would address a magnitude of social issues surrounding family violence.

"The lack of identified housing options for perpetrators of family violence remains a significant gap in the system that undermines victim-survivor safety," she said.

"If perpetrators become homeless it makes them more likely to try to return home or harass the victim-survivor to take them back and then engaging them in services is made more difficult."

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Emma House's intake numbers have fluctuated but over the past six months, 33 per cent of clients were under the age of 25.

"We have seen a significant increase in victim-survivors under 25 years of age presenting to our service and most often the perpetrator is of the same age," Ms Isbel said.

"When the stage three restrictions were announced we initially saw a sharp decline in referrals including police reports but in the second week of restriction this trend reversed.

"This is similar to what we saw in March and April of this year."

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams said the funding aimed to keep more family violence victim-survivors safe in their own homes and perpetrators in full sight

"We know there's an increased risk of family violence during the pandemic, which is why we want to ensure every single Victorian can access the services and support they need," she said.

"I also want to be clear: even with Stay at Home restrictions in place, if you need to leave a violent situation, you can - and you will not be fined."

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

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