Prevention Service
TOWNSVILLE
Men’s Behaviour Change
MenTER (Men Towards Equal Relationships) is our behaviour change program for men who want to stop using violence and abuse in their relationships.
MenTER operates in a group format for a total of 20 weeks. We offer this group both in person and online weekly. Men gain information to challenge and change the values, beliefs, and behaviours that underlie their use of violence and abuse. Our Facilitators provide case management throughout the duration of group.
In some circumstances individual counselling is determined to be the most beneficial way to assist behaviour change. This can also occur at the same time as participation in the group program.
To be eligible to join the program, you must:
MenTER operates in a group format for a total of 20 weeks. We offer this group both in person and online weekly. Men gain information to challenge and change the values, beliefs, and behaviours that underlie their use of violence and abuse. Our Facilitators provide case management throughout the duration of group.
In some circumstances individual counselling is determined to be the most beneficial way to assist behaviour change. This can also occur at the same time as participation in the group program.
To be eligible to join the program, you must:
- Think you have a problem with violence/abuse towards a partner (current or past) or family member.
- Be under a Voluntary Intervention Order, or
- Be referred by community/government agencies, or
- Make a self-referral.
Intake and Assessment
The first contact will involve providing your contact details and some information about your situation.
This is followed by intake and assessment, usually over two sessions, to understand your situation in detail.
Prevention SERVICE TOWNSVILLE
Non-threatening behaviour
Non-violence
During the Group
Responsible parenting
Shared responsibility
Sexual respect
In Person Group:
Respect
Trust and support
Honesty and accountability
Economic partnership
Every Tuesday evening from 6pm-8pm
Every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm-3pm
Every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm-3pm
Throughout the program, participants will learn about the intent behind their use of violence. The program covers ten themes:
We focus on how you can take responsibility for changing your behaviour and decision-making without using violence, and how you can use this knowledge to make positive changes for healthy and safe relationships.
Domestic and Family Violence is about relationships, so someone in the program (not your group facilitator) will contact those affected by your abusive behaviour. This means your partner, ex-partner, or affected family members will receive a call to offer them support and provide them with someone to talk to. This is a requirement of our Professional Practice Standard.
Domestic and Family Violence is about relationships, so someone in the program (not your group facilitator) will contact those affected by your abusive behaviour. This means your partner, ex-partner, or affected family members will receive a call to offer them support and provide them with someone to talk to. This is a requirement of our Professional Practice Standard.
Negotiation and fairness
Online Group:
Every Wednesday evening from
6pm-8pm via Zoom
6pm-8pm via Zoom
Turning Points
Prevention SERVICE TOWNSVILLE
Turning Points is a supportive, trauma-informed program for women who have used force in their relationships. It provides a safe space to explore what happened, understand patterns of harm, and build strategies for safety, stability and change.
Intake and Assessment
The first contact will involve a one-on-one conversation with a specialist worker to explore your situation, the context of your use of force, any safety needs and what you hope to achieve. Together, we’ll decide the best next steps — whether that’s joining the group or receiving individual support — so you can move forward safely and confidently.
Intake and Assessment
The first contact will involve a one-on-one conversation with a specialist worker to explore your situation, the context of your use of force, any safety needs and what you hope to achieve. Together, we’ll decide the best next steps — whether that’s joining the group or receiving individual support — so you can move forward safely and confidently.
In Person Group:
Every Tuesday from 10am-12pm
The Turning Points group is a small, supportive program designed to create safety, reflection and change. It typically includes:
- Collaborative activities – guided discussions, reflective exercises, and practical skill-building.
- A non-judgmental environment – focused on safety, accountability, insight and empowerment, not blame or shame.
- Extra support if needed - One-on-one check-ins during or after the group to support ongoing safety and change (when needed).
- A closed group format – the same women attend each week, building trust and consistency.
- 6–8 participants – small enough for discussion, big enough for shared learning.
- Weekly sessions run over 16 weeks.
- Two trained facilitators – providing guidance, safety and trauma-informed support.
- A structured program – covering topics such as understanding force, patterns of harm, emotional regulation, choice-making and building safer relationships.
“I feel my partner participating in MenTER has contributed positively to our relationship that I finally feel equal and feel like I can safely express my feelings to him”.
CLIENT OF DVNQ
Integrated Response Partnership
Prevention SERVICE TOWNSVILLE
We work with services, organisations, businesses and community to lead an integrated response system that provides wraparound supports for victim-survivors and their families and ensures those using violence are held accountable.
Our secondary focus is an integrated prevention approach that supports early intervention and increases awareness and shared understanding of domestic and family violence.
We achieve this by delivering training and information sessions, hosting and attending events, and facilitating structured networks and groups.
Awareness Raising
DVNQ is active across community spaces, organisations, schools, workplaces, and events to raise awareness of available supports, promote healthy relationships, and strengthen community understanding of DFV. As the specialist DFV service in the Townsville region, we ensure victim-survivors remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our commitment includes:
Participating in community events and expos
Delivering conferences or local events on key DFV topics
Coordinating DFV Prevention Month activities
Promoting messages through materials and social media
Working collaboratively with a wide range of organisations to provide advice, guidance, and coordinated support
Education
DVNQ delivers tailored, multi-layered education programs for service providers and the broader community. Our goal is to raise awareness and build confidence in recognising and responding to DFV. Through interactive experiences and practical training, we empower individuals and organisations to identify signs, support victim-survivors, and strengthen community responses.
Programs include:
For more information or to discuss further, please contact DVNQ on (07) 4721 2888 or email sector@dvnq.org.au.
Our secondary focus is an integrated prevention approach that supports early intervention and increases awareness and shared understanding of domestic and family violence.
We achieve this by delivering training and information sessions, hosting and attending events, and facilitating structured networks and groups.
Awareness Raising
DVNQ is active across community spaces, organisations, schools, workplaces, and events to raise awareness of available supports, promote healthy relationships, and strengthen community understanding of DFV. As the specialist DFV service in the Townsville region, we ensure victim-survivors remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our commitment includes:
Participating in community events and expos
Delivering conferences or local events on key DFV topics
Coordinating DFV Prevention Month activities
Promoting messages through materials and social media
Working collaboratively with a wide range of organisations to provide advice, guidance, and coordinated support
Education
DVNQ delivers tailored, multi-layered education programs for service providers and the broader community. Our goal is to raise awareness and build confidence in recognising and responding to DFV. Through interactive experiences and practical training, we empower individuals and organisations to identify signs, support victim-survivors, and strengthen community responses.
Programs include:
- In Her Shoes – An immersive experience highlighting the challenges faced by people experiencing DFV and the importance of community-level support.
- Know Domestic and Family Violence – It’s in Every Neighbourhood – Learn to recognise DFV signs, understand victim-survivor challenges, and explore ways to offer support.
- CRASF Level 2 Training – Sector-focused training to build confidence in risk assessment, safety planning, and referrals to the High-Risk Team (HRT).
- Information Sharing – Practical guidance on using DFV Prevention Act provisions to inform risk assessment and create safety networks.
For more information or to discuss further, please contact DVNQ on (07) 4721 2888 or email sector@dvnq.org.au.
client OF DVNQ
“The strengths of DVNQ are the knowledge and experience of caring professional staff and positive relationships with stakeholders”.
To contact us, please call
07 4721 2888,
and our friendly staff will be there to provide support.
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TURNING POINTS
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Men’s Behaviour Change
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