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ENGAGE

What is ENGAGE?

ENGAGE is a brief voluntary intervention for domestic and family violence perpetrators. ENGAGE is free and includes a six hour workshop available to men or women over 18 years of age.

ENGAGE engages persons earlier following an initial offence or incident, offers opportunities for referrals to services as required and encourages program readiness for longer term behaviour change interventions.

Where is ENGAGE available?

ENGAGE is currently delivered in the following locations:

Northern Region: Cessnock, Maitland and Raymond Terrace

South West Region: Bankstown, Liverpool, Fairfield and Wollongong

North West Region: Blacktown and Penrith

Who is eligible?

ENGAGE is for men and women over 18 years of age who:

- are a respondent to an ADVO and/or

- are charged with a domestic violence offence and/or

- are referred by NSW government agencies (e.g. Community Corrections, Community Services, NSW Health) or a non government organisation where domestic violence is an issue.

Why do ENGAGE?

If you or your client are facing a domestic violence matter at court, ENGAGE can help.

An ENGAGE Officer can make referrals to services and/or schedule participants into an ENGAGE workshop. A certificate is presented on completion of the workshop, and can be submitted to the court or to agencies to demonstrate efforts to make positive changes.

What happens in workshops?

Participants get support and information to help manage stress, improve communication in relationships and develop a healthier lifestyle. Workshops also include information on legal issues specific to domestic violence and ADVOs.

ENGAGE group workshops are held on a Saturday in a 6 hour session. Individual sessions can be held on week days or week nights.