A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

Following incidents of domestic and family violence, a safety plan is developed for the woman and her children, decisions are made about the ongoing nature of the relationship, court attendance for the man may be required, and custodial sentences might be given. In certain cases, men can be ordered to attend a behaviour change program. The man commences the group behaviour change program, and then what? What happens for the woman?

Men's behaviour change programs are a specific group program that follows a curriculum designed to assist men to take responsibility for their actions and beliefs around domestic and family violence. These groups can range from 16 to 25 weeks duration, and in certain countries they can be delivered over a much longer period, because the research into these programs shows that positive change takes time.

Often the woman waits to see if there's a change in her partner's behaviour. She may try to assess whether it's short-term or long-term change, but how does she tell? If he doesn't change, what should she do? She may receive a phone call part way through the men's behaviour change program to ask how she is, but other than that she may be relying on her partner or family member to tell her what's occurring in the group.

Well not anymore! Here is a way for women to feel able to access information and understand what to expect during the period of the men's behaviour change program. Women can have their ongoing questions answered, feel confident communicating with their partner or family member about his progress, and feel that she's connected to the unfolding process of behaviour change.

A Change for the Better is a companion guide specifically for female partners of men attending a men's behaviour change program. A man can change his behaviour for the better, but his female partner may have to learn to trust him again and believe in the process. Above all, she needs to feel safe and see a change in her partner, and she needs to know what that change entails.