By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A YARRA Valley program supporting boys impacted by family violence will finish at the end of the month due to funding cuts.
The ‘Peaceful Warrior’ program is run by family support organisation Anglicare and is dedicated to working with boys aged nine to 12 who have been impacted by family violence.
The program, which has run in Healesville and Woori Yallock over the years, pairs the boys with men who volunteer as mentors in the program, acting as strong male role models and offering guidance and support during what can be tumultuous age.
Anglicare Victoria chief executive Mr Paul McDonald said the program mentored boys that had been identified as socially disadvantaged or at-risk.
“Many of the boys have been referred to Peaceful Warriors as a result of family violence, difficulty in managing emotions and forming relationships,” Mr McDonald said.
“They’ve needed positive male role models and the axing of this program will be devastating for them.”
For mentor Mick Crough, dealing with family violence is a case of prevention rather than cure.
He’s volunteered with the program for the past six years, and says the ‘Peaceful Warriors’ program helps steer young boys in the right direction during critical years.
“It gives many of the boys the chance to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise experience,” he said.
The programs run for 12 weeks and consist of sessions that connect the boys with their mentors through various activities, described by Mick as “good clean fun.”
The program was first funded by the community in 2001 before receiving government funding under John Howard in 2005. At the time it was cut, it was receiving $90,000 annually.
During its 14 years, Mr McDonald says 130 men have volunteered as mentors.
“The boys get a sense of what to aspire to, and in turn, their families begin to reflect upon their own behaviour, and the community is a winner by having good men,” he said.
It’s a view shared by Mick, who notes there is always a clear transformation in the way the boys handle themselves and situations.
“The biggest change is that they’ve got so much more confidence. They make positive changes in their lives,” Mick said.He believes supporting the program is in the best interests of the government too.
“It’s preventing boys from getting tied up in dangerous behaviour. It’s much cheaper to fund this program then treat the issues that may develop further down the track.”
When asked about the issue during a visit to the Yarra Valley, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the government took the issue of family violence very seriously.
“What we are seeking to do is ensure that services are available and we do put our services out for tender, on a competitive basis, from time to time,” Ms Bishop said.
“We want to make sure that services are delivered as cost-effectively but as appropriately as possible.”
She said the government was working to eradicate family violence in Australia.
“We’re not the only country where it occurs, but in a country like Australia it is just completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Mick Crough agrees, and views programs such as the Peaceful Warrior program as crucial in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
“It’s helping these boys walk tall, trust people and feel more comfortable around men,” he said.
“With all the good this program is doing, I don’t know how anyone could justify cutting it.”
