"In September 2016 the CIJ was asked to prepare a high level overview of the journeys that perpetrators of family violence take as the service system becomes aware of their behaviour. Knowledge is limited, of course, about these journeys, in part because of the reluctance of perpetrators to engage with services or disclose abuse; as well as a justifiable advocacy and policy focus kept firmly on victims.

As the CIJ has previously explained, however, until we train our lens on the source of the problem, these victims will remain at risk. Training this lens is not about nominating one source as ‘the’ perpetrator intervention. Nor is it about equating ‘perpetrator accountability’- an overused but under-examined term –
with the making of a referral, the imposition of an Order, or participation in a program. Rather, for most perpetrators, ‘accountability’ involves a lengthy and sporadic journey – one which many may never complete. A service system which clears a path for this journey, therefore, is one which can offer windows onto the risk that a perpetrator poses, and doorways to appropriate and tailored interventions.

Myriad services could lay steps along this path. At present, however, this potential is not necessarily realised
or, when it is, the experience not often documented. The CIJ therefore identified six sub-sectors where this
knowledge is relatively more available or is emerging. These sub-sectors are, in no order of priority:
- General practice/primary health care;
- Child protection and family services;
- First responder/second responder services;
- Civil justice mechanisms;
- Criminal justice mechanisms;
- Family law.

Of note, Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) are not nominated in this snapshot as they are
infrequently the first doorway that a perpetrator encounters. Specialist women’s services are highlighted for
further work as one of the most useful windows onto risk, as well as potential doorways to intervention." (From the executive summary). Record #5425