Webinar: Using the client-worker relationship to engage men who use violence

Engaging men who use violence in programs about change is complex and challenging.

Confrontational and punitive approaches are commonly used in men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs), particularly in justice settings. Yet, these approaches often do not encourage men to develop an intrinsic motivation to engage in a meaningful way. Research has explored alternative approaches that encourage men to engage and develop their willingness to change. One such approach is based on a personalised client-worker relationship, characterised by empathy and trust.

Drawing on findings from ANROWS research ‘Exploring the client-worker relationship in men’s behaviour change group work programs’, a panel of researchers and practitioners will discuss:

• safe practice skills based on a personalised client-worker relationship in MBCPs
• how client-worker relationships are impacted by COVID-19
• the emotional load often experienced by facilitators and supervisors and ways managers and organisations can provide support
• policy and system level changes needed to support practice change
• future directions for practice and service delivery in MBCPs.

There will also be a live Q&A.

This webinar is designed for:

• practitioners, policymakers, practice design decision makers and researchers working in the men’s behaviour change sector, including justice services and domestic and family violence services
• practitioners, practice design decision makers and policymakers who engage with men who use violence and their families, including child protection, health, community and family support sectors.

The webinar is free to attend and the recording will also be available on the ANROWS website.

Enquiries: rachel.pow@anrows.org.au

Presenters

Elizabeth Reimer
Dr Elizabeth Reimer is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Arts and Social Sciences, at Southern Cross University. Liz has worked as a Senior Research Officer at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Senior Policy and Research Officer for the Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory 2010, and as a Policy Officer at NSW Family Services Inc., and UnitingCare. Liz’s research interests include family work, relational practice in family work and men’s behavior change programs, and prevention and early intervention dimensions of the child wellbeing continuum. Recent publications relate to relational practice in men’s behavior change programs, community development approaches to child protection, and creating communities in which children can thrive.

Kate Seymour
Dr Kate Seymour is a Senior Lecturer, currently in Social Work at Flinders University in South Australia, and previously in Criminology, and a founding member of the Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS). Her research focus – on gender, masculinities and violence – spans the fields of social work and criminology. Kate is especially interested in the framing of violence in the policy, prevention, and practice realms, and the ways in which this reflects and reinforces social hierarchies and structural inequalities. Kate is a skilled qualitative researcher with a background in direct social work practice and management including in the areas of adult offending and work with male perpetrators of domestic and family violence.

Phil Jones
Phil Jones is a Men’s Behaviour Change Specialist with over 24 years’ experience working with men who cause harm. Phil has a Graduate Certificate in Men`s Behaviour Change Individual and Group Work Interventions. For the past 9 years, he has been involved in educating both the community and government sectors in exploring more productive ways to better engage men, particularly men who use violence. He has worked as an advocate, program writer and co-facilitator of group work programs for men who have experienced sexual abuse as children. Phil is a strong advocate for positive change and social justice. Currently, Phil works as a Men’s Behaviour Change Practitioner at the Men’s and Family Centre in Lismore and also is a contract trainer at the Education Centre Against Violence.

Lizette Twisleton
Lizette Twisleton is Head of Sector Development at No to Violence. She has worked in the human/community services sector for 30 years in a range of NGO’s and local government. Lizette has worked in men’s behaviour change for fifteen years; twelve years as a senior men’s behaviour change program facilitator and three years delivering partner contact. Lizette has provided supervisions for men’s behaviour change facilitators and partner contact workers for a decade. She has extensive experience working in domestic and family violence, youth work, health promotion, community and sector development. Lizette has developed and delivered training in men’s behaviour change work to NGOs and government bodies.

Facilitated by: Michele Robinson

Michele joined ANROWS in 2017 as the Director, Evidence to Action. Michele leads the translation and dissemination of research at ANROWS to support the take-up of evidence into policy and practice, to reduce violence against women and their children. This role builds on Michele’s 18 years of experience in leadership roles developing advice and strategies on research, knowledge partnerships and exchange in a diverse range of sectors, including the prevention of violence against women and their children.