Home Contact Us About Us Health Services Counselling Services Support Groups Being Active Volunteers Our History Our Board Our Executive Team Our Vision & Values Reports
men's responsibility group
The Men's Responsibility Program is a group for men. This group promotes men's behavioural change and help men sy "No" to violent and controlling behaviour. The sessions help men learn new ways of relating to their partner, children and others.
How the group can be of help
Topics covered
What to expect
What is controlling behaviour
Feedback from those who have attended
Additional Informatio
Many men report that attending the group helped them to:
• Increase closeness and intimacy in their relationships
• Reduce the frequency that they get angry
• Handle anger more responsibly
• Have relationships based on equity and understanding, not fear and pretence
• Have improved relationships with their children
Topics covered in the program include:
• The difference between anger and violence
• What is violence and abuse
• Types of violence and abuse
• Effects of violence and abuse on partners and children
• Golden rules for stopping men's violence and abuse
• Responsible fathering
• Safety issues
• Strategies on how to stop winding yourself up
• Equity in relationships
• Listening skills
What to expect
The group is run jointly by a male and female facilitator who are experienced in working with men who use controlling behaviour.
The program consists of 20 weekly sessions followed by monthly follow up meetings for six months. The sessions are of two hours duration.
What is controlling behaviour?
Controlling behaviour is the use of force and power to get ones way. It is our experience that it is men who mainly engage in controlling behaviour, with women and children being overwhelmingly subjected to this behaviour. Often a man may not feel powerful or controlling towards his partner and this may certainly not be his intention.
Controlling behaviour results in domestic violence in one or more of its many forms, including:
Physical - hitting, kicking, pushing, holding and using weapons;
Sexual - forced and unwanted sexual contact, including rape in marriage;
Verbal / Emotional - put downs, insults, name calling, threats and mind games;
Economic - controlling her access, use and knowledge of the finances;
Social - isolating the woman from family, friends and community support, checking up, public humiliation;
Intimidation - breaking things, threatening looks, words and gestures.
Feedback from those who have attended:
"John" says: "I don't get so angry now nor do I lose my temper. I realise now just how scary it was for my family when I did."
"Kate" says: "He is a different man since he's been to the group. Life is so much more pleasant. I can speak my mind and share things with him and I feel our relationship is back on track. And the kids aren't frightened of him now, allowing them to talk to him."
"Bob" says: "I wish I had found out about the group earlier. It would have saved our family lots of heartache and misery."
Additional Information:
The following website www.ntv.net.au has information and self-help material on violent behaviour.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you feel that you need help and support in this matter.
You can contact the Intake and Referral Officer on 9568 2599.
