Men’s Behaviour Change programs

In order to prevent DFSV, we need to stop it before it starts, and prevent it escalating once it has emerged.

Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) are an important component in the prevention of and response to men’s use of domestic and family violence (DFV).

The focus of MBCPs is to work with men to change their attitudes and behaviours as well as providing critical support for their partners, ex partners and children (noting that there are many types of perpetrator interventions and MBCPs is just one).

Outcome 4 under the DFSV Reduction Framework 2018-28 Safe, Respected and Free from Violence is: Perpetrators are held accountable and connected early to responses that change their behaviours and reduce violence.

Aim of programs

These programs provide tailored services to men to educate them about what drives their abusive behaviour.

Through the program, the men are held accountable for their actions and supported to develop new behaviours, attitudes and beliefs.

During this process the safety of women and children is always prioritised and the programs each employ a dedicated Women’s Safety Worker to provide that support directly to victim survivors.

Current programs

The department funds four MBCPs in the Northern Territory – in Alice Springs, Darwin, Wadeye and Katherine.

While Alice Springs and Darwin have been operating for many years, the Wadeye program was previously outreach and is moving to a place-based program in 2025. The Katherine program is under development and expected to be operational by late 2025.

These programs had 172 participants in 2022 to 2023:

• 98 men in Alice Springs
• 58 men in Darwin
• 16 men in Wadeye.

NT Corrections communicates regularly with service providers and the courts about available spots and to support assessment of suitable participants for the program before an order is made.

Programs operate waitlists where required, as it can be difficult to recruit the specialists to run these programs.

More information about MBCP’s being run in the NT:

• Darwin and Wadeye- Men’s Behaviour Change Program - CatholicCare NT
• Alice Springs- Tangentyere Council, Alice Springs

New Katherine program

The Katherine program is a regional pilot and will run for 3.5 years.

The pilot program in Katherine is a $2.41 million investment through the Australian Government’s National Partnership Agreement to provide specialist services for men who are using domestic and family violence.

Intimate Partner Violence Early Intervention - working with young men and boys starting to use violence

The Northern Territory Government has committed $1.797 million to an Early Intervention Grants pilot program to support boys and young men starting to use Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), under action 8 of the DFSV Reduction Strategy 2025 to 2028 PDF (535.2 KB).

Pilot funding is intended to support up to 3 projects for 3 years - beginning July 2026 - that can demonstrate effective approaches in their local context and contribute to sector learning.

The aim of the IPV Early Intervention Grants program is to support projects that help prevent violence earlier, so fewer people need to rely on crisis or tertiary prevention services in the future. This includes:

• the development and delivery of targeted, age-appropriate interventions to young men and boys aged 12 to 25 who are starting to use IPV in their intimate relationships
• enhanced collaboration and integration among Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, other universal services and specialist DFSV services working with young men and boys aged 12 to 25 who are starting to use IPV
• young men and boys aged 12 to 25 who have started to use IPV understanding the impact of their violence, take accountability for their violence and choose to change their attitudes and behaviours.

Evaluation

In March 2025, ANROWS completed an evaluation of two Men’s Behaviour Change Programs in the Northern Territory. This report was commissioned by the Northern Territory Government.

A review was conducted to assess how MBCPs are being delivered in comparison to what is understood to be quality practice. As part of this process, Quality Practice Elements were developed in collaboration with the service providers.

Read the published Quality Practice Elements: Evaluation of the Northern Territory’s men’s behaviour change programs

A broad array of data was then analysed to evaluate how services were being delivered against these guidelines. Feedback and learning was integrated into the evaluation design to support the reflective development of MBCP work.

The report provides insights into what is working well, areas for improvement and recommendations for the future.  For more information read the ANROWS Evaluation Report Evaluation of the NT MBCPs Key learnings for policy and practice PDF (1.4 MB).

NT minimum standards and application process for declared DFV rehabilitation programs

The NT Minimum Standards and Application Process for Declared DFV Rehabilitation Programs (Minimum Standards have been created to enhance the safety of women and children by creating a consistent model for DFV rehabilitation programs. The Minimum Standards establish requirements for program priorities and key components of program design, delivery, evaluation and staffing.

The Minimum Standards were developed through an iterative review, feedback and development process. The process included a DFV sector workshop with two feedback loops, and further review by DFV sector, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, government agencies, the DFSV Cross Agency Working Group and Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS).

For more information, read the NT Minimum Standards and Application Process for Declared DFV Rehabilitation Programs PDF (1.0 MB).