Lauren Palma, General Manager of Services, will present at the Stop
Domestic Violence Conference in Hobart Tasmania on the Brief Intervention Service
(BIS) Program. Lauren will run through a summary on the BIS program which will
include the eligibility criteria, expectations of the men and what the telephone
counselling service entails. Lauren will elaborate on the unique nature of the program
and how it differs from a Mens Behaviour Change Program (MBCP), particularly that
the program acts as a interim support measure prior to men accessing a MBCP. It is
not a replacement for a Men’s Behaviour Change Program (MBCP) and do not meet
MBCP requirements as mandated by the courts in Australia.
Lauren will provide an overview of the multi-session counselling model and service
delivery. Specifically, a short-term family violence telephone support service which is
voluntary and approximately 45-minutes in duration. Each man is engaged with a
counsellor for approximately 8 sessions. Counselling sessions are focussed on
supporting men to reflect on their use of violence, explore personal accountability,
learn new strategies to support non-violent relationships and build safe families.
Counsellors may also identify and provide appropriate referrals to other services,
including but not excluded to, Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCP).

3 key learnings delegates can take from the presentation:
- An overview of No to Violence and the Brief Intervention Service
- Who can access BIS and eligibility criteria
- How BIS acts as an interim support for men who are awaiting MBCP engagement