Salvos program to help fathers heal relationships
Salvos program to help fathers heal relationships
28 March 2018
The Salvation Army in Tasmania has launched a new project to help fathers understand the impact of violence on children, and to improve relationships. Photo Tadeusz-Lakota.
“It's easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult. Choose your words and actions wisely.”
The Salvation Army and the University of Tasmania has launched an innovative project aimed at engaging fathers to improve relationships with their children, and to raise awareness that family violence can have lifelong impacts on children.
The project, called “Start Today Again – Fathers healing relationships after family violence”, was launched by the Governor of Tasmania, Kate Warner, during a special function at Government House in Hobart.
The project consists of a flexible and evidence-based training program and resource toolkit, including a training manual, multi-media film clips, books fathers can read to their children, books on family violence that professionals can use with fathers and children, and some children's books on “kindness”, which is a key theme of the program.
“The ‘Start Today Again’ toolkit is for presenters, trainers and counsellors to use to assist men and men’s groups understand the impact of family violence on children, and suggest ways in which changes in parenting relationships can be made so that children will be safe and not grow up violent themselves,” said Nell Kuilenburg, Salvation Army Development and Research Manager, Tasmania Division.
“It is based on the belief that males, all too often part of the problem of family violence, can also become part of the solution, both as bystanders understanding the impacts of family violence on children, and as men who decide that it is better to exchange attempts to control their family through any form of violence for attempts to build better and more supportive relationships with their children and partners.
“The toolkit draws on insights from contemporary domestic and family violence research including what is now known about the impacts of witnessing family violence on the developing brain of children.”
Designed for multiple uses and audiences, including community groups, the toolkit features a range of training program options.
The project name was inspired by the Paul Kelly song If I could start today again.
Training days both in Tasmania and across Australia are available. Salvation Army program representatives from Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, have already attended one-day seminars.
The main trainer is Dr Ron Frey, psychologist, former Queensland University of Technology lecturer and specialist in domestic violence, trauma, child abuse and prison work. The co-trainer is Don McCrae, Manager, Salvation Army Social Housing and Support Network Manager.
The project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services – Building Stronger Communities for Women and Children program. The Tasmanian Community Fund provided financial backing to develop The Sponge video clip used at the project’s launch.
For further information, contact starttodayagain@aus.salvationarmy.org
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