Case managing both victims trying to rebuild their lives and perpetrators to prevent a repeat of violence is making significant inroads in the Wodonga region.
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But being a fairly recent innovation meant the people at Gateway Health are well aware that there is still a considerable way to go.
It has been accepted that large gaps in domestic and family violence services across the border in Albury could be effectively remedied with a case management approach.
The Women's Centre for Health and Wellbeing is a strong advocate, under an overarching cross-border organisation for far better-targeted and streamlined programs.
Gateway's case management comprises victim survivor and men's behavioural change programs, the latter also identified as a key gap in Albury.
Counselling and support program manager Greg Calder said a case manager's role was to support people "in whatever context".
"Some of that is about assisting them with education, housing, finance, legal and court appearances, medical appointments; the whole gamut really," he said.
"Whereas before, we didn't have that capacity and I know that people, either the victim or the perpetrator, struggle to make connections."
Gateway touches base with perpetrators in the first week after a referral from police, though "we get some walk-ins as well".
Southern Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service's Robyn Mortlock said such a program was strongly needed in Albury.
Ms Mortlock said many women she met wanted to remain in relationships "for a number of complex reasons, but they want the behaviour to change and stop".
Likewise, Di Glover from Albury homelessness agency yes unlimited, which also has some domestic violence-related services, said such a program would help men become aware that "this is what is expected of me as a man, this is how men behave".
"There's emotional intelligence and knowing how to deal with anger appropriately, how their reactions affect others," she said.
"I really think there needs to be more effort put into that side of things so we're not just dealing with the situation after the violence has occurred."
NEED HELP?
- Emergency: 000
- DV Hotline: 1800 656 463
- Safe Steps: 1800 015 188
- Betty's Place Women's Refuge: 02 6058 6200 or 1900 885 355
- DV counselling: 1800 737 732
- Kids' Helpine: 1800 789 978
- MensLine: 1300 789 978
Up to 30 men a week are being referred to the Gateway program.
Gateway chief executive Leigh Rhode said it was "not OK" to be violent.
"And we need to help you to learn to stop and take responsibility for it," she said.
"We'd rather see you in the community than in jail, living a productive, rich relationship. Imagine someone perpetrating that kind of violence.
"What must sit behind that emotionally for them? It would not be nice to be them, I can imagine."
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