Abusive men to live in shelters while victims can stay at home in ground-breaking SA Government trial

Men who abuse their partners or children will be sent to live in shelters to allow their victims to remain at home as part of a ground-breaking trial by the State Government.

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Men who abuse their partners or children will be sent to live in shelters to allow their victims to remain at home as part of a ground-breaking trial by the State Government.

The significant shift in the approach to curbing domestic violence comes as part of plans to open 40 new crisis beds across the state by the end of next year.

The Advertiser can reveal the $4 million in new shelter accommodation will be split equally between city and country locations where experts say there is the greatest need.

They include Berri, Murray Bridge, Ceduna, Whyalla and Port Lincoln, and Adelaide’s northern and southern suburbs.

In a South Australian first, a “small number” of those beds will be kept for male perpetrators of family violence, where they will be connected with services in a bid to change their behaviour.

Currently police can remove an abuser from their home but most return, or end up on public housing waiting lists or homeless.

It is hoped that offering alternative accommodation and support could break that cycle for some.

Historically there have been concerns about diverting already scarce funding for victims to house perpetrators instead, but there is a growing consensus that it is a necessary part of efforts to end the pattern of violence.

Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink first flagged the idea to remove and house abusers in February, releasing a new blueprint to address domestic violence.

She said the planned trial “responds directly to feedback we received from the sector and community”.

“(It) allows partners and families to remain in the family home, if safe to do so, and results in less disruption to their lives,” she said.

“The trial is also an opportunity to explore what interventions might work as perpetrators will have an opportunity to engage with support services to help them change their behaviour.”

It is not yet known which organisation will provide those services. SA’s Corrections Department runs behaviour change programs for domestic violence offenders, as do some non-profit organisations.

Women’s Safety Services SA currently supports people who have fled to existing shelters.

Chief executive Maria Hagias said she was keen to see models developed to help more women and children remain in their homes.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness among women.

Crisis accommodation providers report more than 400 women and children are sleeping in crisis beds or motels across Adelaide on any given night.

Shelter managers say their beds are always full and there is a desperate need for more.

Ms Lensink said about 30 new beds would be open by the end of this year and the remainder in 2020.

As a first option Housing Trust homes will be refurbished and fitted with security, while later homes will be newly-built.

For support phone the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098.