MILDURA Council will investigate the implementation of a program that aims to reduce the lifetime prevalence of violence against women.
A pilot study of the Baby Makes 3 antenatal program has been trialled in seven Victorian local government areas and seeks to address the key life stage of becoming a parent.
Councillors were told last week Mildura’s high rate of family and domestic abuse had grown during the COVID-19 pandemic and the program could tackle the incidence of domestic and family abuse.
Cr Cyndi Power said that as there was strong evidence demonstrating a link between mothers having their first baby and their increased risk of experiencing intimate partner violence, the program was targeted at first-time parents.
“Becoming a parent is a key transition point in life that presents important opportunities to address the drivers of violence against women,” Cr Power told the council meeting.
“These antenatal classes are a practical way to address family violence before it begins and to address drivers for violence against women.
“It includes stressful times of life, social norms around gender roles and expectations and parenting that can be overwhelming.
“All first-time parents would be encouraged to attend and the classes are taught by both a male and a female facilitator.”
Cr Power said the Baby Makes 3 model focused on the relationship of the parents and themselves.
“This transition to pregnancy and parenthood is known as carrying an increased risk for gender-inequitable behaviours and violence against women.
“The classes address the changes that occur for parents with the birth of a first child and examines the positive and negative ways that those changes affect a relationship, how will they respond to these changes, what skills are needed to navigate the exciting but often stressful time.
“These expectations can lead to an imbalance in the relationship that can lead to conflict.
“These classes assist new parents in having the skills to prevent conflict before it occurs.”
Cr Glenn Milne commended the initiative, but said the Victorian Government should be the responsible authority funding the program.
“It’s vitally important to our community, given the statistics and the rates of domestic violence and child abuse et cetera,” he said.
“It is being left to us as a council and, while we shouldn’t be doing it, we can’t afford not to do it.
“The quicker it can happen, and whether that is us, the State Government or an amalgamation of local agencies, something needs to be done and we need to see it happen soon.
“It can only benefit our community.”
Cr Jodi Reynolds said that while there were many programs in the community that dealt with the aftermath of violence, there were few that prevented violence happening.
Cr Mark Eckel said he was proud of Mildura Council for embracing the issue.
“It just goes to show that you need compassion in the room and we’re showing that,” he said.
Councillors called for a report be provided to the May council meeting outlining what needed to happen to implement the Baby Makes 3 program, including partnering with other organisations, the best model of service delivery and the financial requirements to undertake a 12-month trial of the program.
