How tech developed in Dunsborough is helping curb Pilbara domestic violence

A Dunsborough-developed mobile application which streamlines the support process for domestic violence perpetrators has shown promising results after being adopted at the Aboriginal Male Healing Centre in the Pilbara. Developed in partnership with Empowering Communities by Integrated Network Systems, the East Pilbara’s AMHC adopted the software late last year which has received “excellent” feedback from both AMHC practitioners and participants. “We’ve seen a big improvement in communication between us and our participants,” AMHC chief executive Devon Cuimara said. “A lot of our participants are transient between sessions but like all of us these days, they always have their phones on them. “The app has given these men ownership over their rehabilitation and it’s completely enhanced our support capabilities.” The software is split into two separate applications: the case management app and the participant engagement app. The case management app helps the AMHC team record data collected from their in-person sessions, while the participant engagement app enables participants to speak to practitioners, access calendars and reminders and includes therapeutic features. ECINS Australia operations manager Thomas Pettengell said supporting the whole person was essential to the organisation serving the AMHC participants successfully. “If you can provide a wrap-around support service, you’ve got the best chance of helping a person get back on their feet,” he said. “Our participant engagement module, which was developed in Dunsborough, extends the support of AMHC while participants get back on their feet.” AMHC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to reducing domestic violence and its effect on communities and families by offering a rehabilitative alternative to incarceration for Aboriginal men who use violence against women and children. It has struggled to receive funding due to its participants being perpetrators rather than victims of domestic violence. These difficulties spurred the development of the software, which enables the organisation to present accurate data and evidence around its success in rehabilitating participants. The data the app has recorded has enabled AMHC to expand its services, including a new “walk-up” service that enables perpetrators to self-refer into the program. “Our partnership with ECINS gives us a competitive advantage and places us at the cutting edge of monitoring and evaluation. This is going to be a significant catalyst in our success in securing funding moving forward,” Mr Cuimara said. The organisation is developing an application for a $40 million government endowment to develop a residential facility. AMHC is the first organisation in Australia to work with ECINS in rolling out the mobile apps, with the company working to implement software around the globe.