Partner Support Service -Strong Women, Strong Families (SWSF)

| Change Em Ways | Dijun Way YoungN Deadly | On Country Camps & Activities |

In supporting change for men, Change Em Ways (CEW) recognises the need for women to have a voice in the men’s behavioural change (MBC) process and a safe space to reflect on their own understanding and experience of family domestic violence. The CEW model includes the Strong Women, Strong Families (SWSF) partner support service which runs simultaneously to the men’s program.

CEW also recognises the need for women to have access to information about family domestic violence and opportunities to engage with their community to build safer, stronger families.

Involvement with SWSF gives partners an opportunity to positively contribute to the men’s program outcome by having:

• A voice in the men’s behavioural change (MBC) process.
• The opportunity to hold their partners accountable for their use of violence – these women may act as a key accountability and quality assurance measure within the MBC program and provide a means of minimising collusion (Stopping Family Violence 2018).
• An opportunity to become familiar with the program content and expectations of the CEW content so they can support their partner’s anticipated positive behaviour changes.

The SWSF support service also provides:

• A safe space for women to reflect on their own understanding and experience of family domestic violence and begin to heal from their own trauma.
• An opportunity to develop and review safety plans and strategies to ensure their own ongoing safety and the safety of their children.
• An opportunity to improve and develop their own parenting skills. 
• An opportunity to reconnect with their culture and identity as an Aboriginal woman.

The SWSF support service includes post-workshop outreach support. As with the Men’s program there is a strong Social & Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) component to the program and opportunities for cultural immersion and On Country group activities.