Men’s behaviour change programs don’t sit on the sidelines of the justice system; they are increasingly woven into how courts, police, and parole services respond to men who use domestic and family violence. Done well, these programs create a bridge between legal accountability and genuine behavioural change, especially when they operate as a structured, evidence‑based men’s intervention that justice agencies can confidently refer to.
Why justice systems use behaviour change programs
Courts, police, and parole services are primarily responsible for enforcing the law and protecting victim‑survivors. They can impose conditions, orders, and sentences, but they also recognise that lasting safety requires offenders to change their beliefs and behaviour, not just fear consequences. When these agencies have access to a robust men’s behaviour change program online, it gives them a concrete pathway to link legal outcomes with structured behavioural work.
That is where men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs) and domestic violence programs for men come in. Their core aims are to:
- Increase men’s accountability for their use of violence and control
- Challenge attitudes and beliefs that support abuse
- Build skills for non‑violent, respectful behaviour
- Improve the safety and wellbeing of partners, ex‑partners, and children
In Australia, these programs are now seen as a key part of an integrated response, working alongside police, courts, corrections, and specialist family violence services rather than operating in isolation.
Referrals from courts, police and corrections
Referral pathways are one of the main points of connection between the justice system and behaviour change work. Men may enter a program in several ways:
- Court‑ordered participation: Magistrates can order a man to attend a men’s domestic violence education or intervention program as a condition of probation, parole, or a community‑based order, particularly when he has been convicted of a domestic‑violence‑related offence.
- Conditions on parole or community corrections: Parole boards and community corrections officers can require attendance at a program as part of supervision, and may issue directions to undertake a course like a domestic violence course for men where appropriate.
- Referrals from police or specialist family violence courts: Some jurisdictions have family violence courts and police‑led initiatives that actively link respondents to behaviour change interventions at the point of police or court contact.
- Voluntary and professional referrals: Men can also be referred by lawyers, social workers, child protection, or other services, or they can self-refer, sometimes before charges are laid or while matters are still before the court.
For these justice‑linked referrals to work, programs need to be accessible, clearly structured, and able to take men from different parts of Australia – which is where a well‑designed Australia men’s behaviour change program delivered online can add significant value.
How information flows between programs and justice agencies
A defining feature of responsible men’s behaviour change work is that it does not operate as a “black box” where men disappear and re‑emerge supposedly “fixed.” Instead, programs collaborate with courts, police, and corrections within clear legal and ethical frameworks.
Key elements usually include:
- Attendance and engagement reports: Programs can provide information about whether a man has started, is attending regularly, is participating meaningfully, or has been exited due to non‑compliance.
- Risk and safety information: Where there are immediate safety concerns, programs may share risk information with relevant agencies under information‑sharing schemes or legal obligations, always with victim‑survivor safety at the centre.
- Structured assessments and case notes: Specialist assessments of a man’s use of violence, patterns of control, and risk factors can inform court decisions, parole conditions, and case management within the justice system.
Programs must navigate confidentiality carefully, making it clear to participants what information may be shared, with whom, and in what circumstances. The aim is not to “dob in” men for every slip, but to ensure that systems have the information needed to protect victim‑survivors and manage risk.
Embedding programs into an integrated response
Many Australian jurisdictions are working towards a more integrated response to family violence where behaviour change programs, courts, police, corrections, and victim‑survivor services share responsibility rather than working in silos.
In practice, this can look like:
- Specialist family violence courts that have on‑site access to perpetrator interventions, case management, and victim‑survivor support, creating a coordinated response at the point of legal intervention.
- Justice‑based pilot programs that combine group‑based men’s behaviour change courses with case management, parenting programs, or restorative activities, including in prisons and community corrections.
- Minimum practice standards for men’s behaviour change programs that specify how they must engage with the justice system, including risk management, partner contact, and information‑sharing protocols.
Within this integrated model, a structured men’s behaviour change course – whether in person or as a men’s behaviour change course online becomes one part of a broader system working to reduce violence and increase accountability.
Why program design matters to courts and parole
Justice agencies are increasingly selective about which domestic violence programs for men they will accept as part of sentencing or parole conditions. They look for programs that are:
- Evidence‑based and structured
Programs should have a clear curriculum, often over 20–40 weeks, that addresses belief systems, patterns of control, and practical skills for non‑violent behaviour. Short, one‑off sessions are generally not considered sufficient. - Safety‑focused
Partner contact, risk assessment, and collaboration with victim‑survivor services are key indicators that a program prioritises safety over offender comfort. - Accountability‑oriented
The program must challenge minimisation, denial, and victim‑blaming rather than supporting narratives that excuse or justify violence. - Capable of reporting meaningfully
Courts and parole services need clear, factual feedback on attendance and engagement, not vague statements about “good participation”.
When programs meet these expectations, they are more likely to be embedded in justice pathways and recognised as legitimate options for men who are under court or corrections supervision.
The role of online delivery in justice-linked programs
Online delivery has become increasingly important in ensuring that men ordered or referred into programs can actually attend, regardless of location, work schedules, or transport barriers. For justice agencies, online formats:
- Expand access to men in regional or remote areas
- Help maintain continuity when men move within a state or across Australia
- Allow for structured group work, education, and case management without compromising core program principles
However, online programs still need to meet the same standards around risk management, confidentiality, and collaboration with justice and victim‑survivor services. A domestic violence course for men delivered online must be more than a series of videos; it needs live, facilitated engagement, structured content, and clear pathways for information‑sharing where required.
Working together for safer outcomes
At their best, men’s behaviour change programs and the justice system pull in the same direction: towards increased accountability, reduced risk, and safer lives for women and children. Courts, police, and parole services can create pressure and consequences; programs can help men understand and change the beliefs and behaviours that led them there in the first place.
For practitioners, referrers, and policy makers, the key is to choose and support programs that are well‑integrated with justice responses, grounded in evidence, and uncompromising on safety. For men who find themselves facing legal consequences for their use of violence, engaging fully with a structured intervention is an opportunity to do more than “tick a box” – it is a chance to build a different future.
If you want a practical example of how an organisation can work with referrals from police, courts, parole, and voluntary pathways while offering a men’s behaviour change program online through a 40‑week model, Core Men’s Business provides a clear illustration of that kind of integrated, accountability‑focused approach.
