Addressing Men's Health and Male Domestic Violence Perpetration: Can We Do Both at the Same Time?
Join Safe & Together founder David Mandel for an advanced masterclass exploring the complex intersections between men’s wellbeing challenges and domestic violence perpetration patterns. Designed for Safe & Together Model practitioners, this in-depth session will deepen participants’ understanding of how perpetrator behaviour can intersect with issues such as mental health conditions, emotional regulation difficulties, substance use, trauma histories, social isolation, and physical health challenges.
Drawing on decades of practice experience and current research, David will examine how traditional approaches to men’s wellbeing within child protection and domestic violence systems can unintentionally minimise, excuse, or pathologise perpetrator behaviour. Participants will explore how to respond to legitimate wellbeing needs while maintaining a clear focus on survivor safety, child wellbeing, and perpetrator accountability.
Through advanced frameworks, case analysis, and practical application, participants will strengthen their ability to navigate these often challenging dynamics without collapsing either into blaming wellbeing issues for violence or dismissing genuine mental health and wellbeing concerns.
Participants will learn how to:
Distinguish between men’s wellbeing challenges as contextual risk factors versus explanations or excuses for domestic violence
Apply perpetrator pattern–based assessment to cases involving mental health concerns, emotional dysregulation, substance use, trauma, and related wellbeing issues
Develop intervention strategies that address wellbeing needs while centring survivor safety and perpetrator accountability
Strengthen practice skills for partnering with survivors while appropriately engaging perpetrators experiencing wellbeing challenges
This masterclass will equip practitioners with practical tools and advanced practice frameworks to support domestic violence–informed work across child protection, family services, and related systems.