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Research

Our research

Violence against women and children affects everybody. It impacts on the health, wellbeing and safety of a significant proportion of Australians throughout all states and territories and places an enormous burden on the nation’s economy across family and community services, health and hospitals, income-support and criminal justice systems.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

News and events

ANROWS hosts events as part of its knowledge transfer and exchange work, including public lectures, workshops and research launches. Details of upcoming ANROWS activities and news are available from the list on the right.

ANROWS

About ANROWS

ANROWS was established by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments of Australia to produce, disseminate and assist in applying evidence for policy and practice addressing violence against women and their children.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Resources

To support the take-up of evidence, ANROWS offers a range of resources developed from research to support practitioners and policy-makers in delivering evidence-based interventions.


PI.17.13

Exploring the client-worker relationship in men’s behaviour change programs

Completed
June 2020

The project explored the perceptions of multiple stakeholders about how the client-worker relationship influences each man’s change in attitude and behaviour, as well as his engagement in men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs).


The study involved 65 semi-structured, conversational style, in-depth interviews with MBCP participants, MBCP facilitators, supervisors of facilitators, and partners/ex-partners of participants.

The study was conducted in partnership with two MBCPs at three sites: the Men and Family Centre in Lismore and Tweed Heads, New South Wales; and Centacare in Southport, Queensland.

The study found that facilitators of MBCPs can build personalised client–worker relationships, using self-disclosure to forge an emotional bond and build trust with participants. These personalised client–worker relationships can create an environment conducive to behavioural and attitudinal change.

The study highlighted that there is a risk of collusion when facilitators have a strong emotional investment in participants and identified ways in which collusion can be prevented.

The study also found that maintaining personalised client–worker relationships can heighten the emotional load on facilitators, and that this can manifest in gendered ways.


Researchers

Project Lead

Dr Elizabeth Reimer, Southern Cross University

Practitioner expertise

Mr Luke Addinsall, Men and Family, Lismore and Tweed Heads (NSW)

Mr Steven Dowker, Southport (QLD)


Downloads

Research report

“Growing to be a better person”: Exploring the client­–worker relationship in men’s behaviour change group work programs

Download

Research summary

The client–worker relationship in men’s behaviour change programs: Key findings and future directions

Download

Presentations

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



This webinar explores how a personalised-client worker relationship in men’s behaviour change programs can encourage men to engage and develop their willingness to change.

Drawing on the research. the panel of researchers and practitioners discuss:
• how personalised client-worker relationship in MBCPs can enhance engagement with men who use violence
• 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

Presenters:

  • Dr Elizabeth Reimer, Southern Cross University
  • Phil Jones, Men and Family Centre
  • Lizette Twisleton, No To Violence
  • Dr Kate Seymour, Flinders University

Facilitated by Michele Robinson, ANROWS

Budget

$109,803

Funded by Commonwealth Department of Social Services.

find out more

Contact ANROWS

PO Box Q389, Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
Email: enquiries@anrows.org.au      

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