Empowering Fathers to Break the Cycle of Violence
In the realm of family dynamics and behaviour change, few initiatives have been as impactful as the Caring Dads program in Australia. This groundbreaking program has been making waves across the world for its innovative approach to addressing a deeply sensitive issue – assisting fathers who have used violence in rewriting their stories, to forge healthy relationships with their children.
Leading Change in Australia
The imperative to address domestic violence comprehensively has led to the emergence of initiatives offering multifaceted solutions. One such program garnering significant attention and recognition is the Caring Dads program. Pioneered by the Academic Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women (Western University, Canada) Dr Katreena Scott, this intervention uniquely targets fathers who have used violence, aiming to break the cycle and cultivate positive change.
A Glimpse into the Australian Caring Dads Program
Caring Dads was brought to Australia by Kids First Australia, a premier provider of child and family services with a focus on intervention. At its core, the Australian Caring Dads program is designed to foster positive change and healthy father-child relationships, while considering the unique attitudes, behaviours, challenges, and societal imperatives of the Australian context.
This intervention is underpinned by the belief that men who have used violence are capable of transformation and can become nurturing, responsible caregivers. By providing participants with a nonjudgmental, empathetic group setting for introspection and growth across 17 weeks, this approach paves the way for remarkable change.
University of Melbourne’s Comprehensive Evaluation
The impact of the Caring Dads program in Australia has been thoroughly evaluated by the University of Melbourne, shedding light on its effectiveness and success. The evaluation, conducted from 2016 to 2019, encompassed a comprehensive analysis of program outcomes, participant experiences, and statistical data.
According to the University of Melbourne’s evaluation report, the Caring Dads program is shown to:
- have a positive impact on fathers’ parenting and co-parenting practices;
- reduce the risk of children’s further exposure to domestic and family violence;
- increase fathers’ ability to identify the impact of their aggressive behaviour on their children; and
- improve men’s responses to people more generally.
Despite traditionally high dropout rates in domestic and family violence intervention programs, Australia has the highest retention rate of all the countries where Caring Dads operate. These findings underscore the program’s ability to bring about meaningful change, altering harmful behavioural patterns and fostering healthier interactions with the participants’ children.
Real Stories of Transformation
The Australian Caring Dads program’s success is exemplified through stories of personal transformation. Participants have shared their experiences, highlighting the profound impact this intervention has had on their lives – and the lives of their children. Their stories reflect a common thread of fathers who have fully engaged with the program, committing to nurturing love, respect, and understanding in their families.
“There have been situations I’ve dealt with differently because I’ve been able to talk about them here [at a Caring Dads session]… [my son] was at school, and he had a situation with a teacher and he couldn’t cope… the immediate thing I did was I didn’t judge him, I tried to support him, in the past I’ve not done that.” – Rowan, 38, Caring Dads participant.
“No one wants to hurt their kids and I think that a lot of us don’t realise and things we think we’re doing to help them aren’t helping… It’s just the way we’ve learned through our lives to parent.” – Robert, 45, Caring Dads Participant.
Celebrating Achievements and Acknowledging Challenges
While the Australian Caring Dads program has achieved remarkable success, it’s not without its challenges. Transforming deeply ingrained behavioural patterns requires sustained effort and support, and some participants face hurdles along the way, dropping out of the program early. However, the program’s resounding success, as demonstrated by the positive finding from Monash University’s evaluation and similar findings across the globe, offer hope for continued growth and refinement.
These achievements are indicative of the potential for Caring Dads to evolve and expand. Collaborative efforts between the program and other support systems, such as therapy, legal advocacy, the justice system and community services, can further enhance its effectiveness. A holistic approach addressing multiple dimensions of family violence can create a more robust safety net for survivors and individuals striving to change.
A Path Forward
Caring Dads serves as a shining example of hope in the realm of family violence intervention in Australia and across the world. The recent announcement of the Australian Government’s commitment to reduce violence against women by 25% is yet another opportunity for policymakers, funders, advocates, and community organisations to support, further develop and expand Caring Dads, a program proven to combat family violence where it begins.
By empowering fathers to embrace change, the program offers a fresh start; the opportunity to rebuild relationships. Through the power of education, and collective action, we can envision a future where families thrive, violence is replaced by healing, and societal transformation is at the forefront.
Pioneer of the Caring Dads program, Dr. Katreena Scott will be speaking about her work at Elevating Children’s Voices in Family Violence Services, a one-day forum hosted by Kids First Australia this October. For more information and to book, visit the event website.