{
  "id": 4317085,
  "title": "'Dearth' in programs helping violent migrant men change",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/dearth-in-programs-helping-violent-migrant-men-change",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T21:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discovered",
    "slug": "discovered",
    "url": "https://macleayargus.com.au/story/9339870/dearth-in-programs-helping-violent-migrant-men-change"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A lack of suitable programs to help violent migrant men change their behavior has become increasingly apparent, according to a study by Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety. Migrant and refugee women often face difficult choices when experiencing family violence, such as leaving their partner or isolating from loved ones overseas. However, male perpetrators of violence from these backgrounds encounter significant barriers in attempting to alter their violent behavior. These obstacles include systemic issues, language differences, cultural and community challenges. Melbourne's inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, started four decades ago by women, runs programs in 30 languages, including for perpetrators of violence. However, the demand for these services far exceeds the available programs, leaving many men without options. Tania Fahla, the CEO of inTouch, emphasizes the importance of supporting men who are using violence to change their lives, as not everyone wants to leave their partner. The Motivation for Change program, designed to support men before engaging with statutory services, has become more critical due to the scarcity of available programs. InTouch receives referrals from courts, child protection, and self-referrals from men. Fahla notes that the men face unique challenges, including trauma from witnessing political unrest or torture, instability due to language barriers, and cultural differences in male entitlement and privilege. No to Violence, Australia's peak body for working with men to end family violence, highlights the significant barriers to accessing programs from migrant communities, including language, lack of culturally appropriate programs, stigma, unfamiliarity with Australian systems, and distrust of services due to experiences of racism, discrimination, or trauma. Phillip Ripper, the CEO of No to Violence, stresses the need for sustained investment in bilingual and bi-cultural practitioners, stronger links with settlement, mental health, housing, and other services, and the importance of engaging faith-based communities and leaders. The ANROWS report calls for multicultural and ethno-specific organizations to be funded to deliver behavioral change programs in more languages, with flexible funding for migrant and refugee support to offer tailored intervention in prevention and early intervention. To overcome these challenges, research commissioned by Victoria's justice department into behavioral change program availability and effectiveness is being conducted in Melbourne. This study aims to collect data, identify turning points, changes, and micro wins to enhance practitioner insight and capability.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}