Shaping Change: Buffy Lefroy’s Journey from DV-alert Learner to Advocate

Published on 22nd October 2024

Buffy Lefroy, a facilitator of the Change Em Ways Men’s Behavioural Change Program in Western Australia, has built a remarkable career in community work focusing on transforming lives and addressing issues of family, domestic, and sexual violence.

Her current role involves helping men recognise and change their abusive behaviours. “We need men to be accountable for their choice to use family, domestic, and sexual abuse against women and children, ” Buffy says. “Men need to be part of the solution if we want to end violence in this country.”

The program Buffy leads works closely with other community services to provide holistic support, addressing both immediate safety concerns and long-term behavioural change.

Seventeen years ago, Buffy attended one of the first DV-alert workshops, an experience that marked a pivotal turning point in her professional journey. Buffy has since consistently encouraged colleagues from various workplaces in the 17 years since to participate in DV-alert workshops, recognising the value and transformative power of the training in addressing family and domestic violence.

In this interview, Buffy reflects on how the DV-alert training reshaped her understanding of violence and deepened her commitment to driving change in the field of domestic and family violence.

DV-alert: Looking back, what do you remember most about your experience at the first DV-alert workshop?

Buffy: I remember thinking how my team at the Women’s Refuge and I came away with a completely new perspective on the types of violence and the cycle of violence. It led to many important conversations with the women in the refuge, especially around issues like financial control. It wasn’t just about addressing bruises or visible damage anymore—it became about understanding all aspects of domestic and family violence.
 

DV-alert: How has your understanding of domestic and family violence evolved since attending the workshop?

Buffy: The workshop really opened up conversations about the different types of violence, which pushed us to explore our clients' needs further. We revisited our intake and assessment processes to include much more detail about the women’s situations, helping them understand the patterns of violence in their lives. We also started educating women about safety planning, like being cautious around payday, which was something we hadn’t considered before.
 

DV-alert: In what ways has DV-alert training influenced your work over the years?

Buffy: I always look back on the early days of DV-alert and how it’s grown into what it is today. After attending the training, I realised how much more I still had to learn. It inspired me to dive deeper—reading research papers, consulting resources, and reaching out to experts in the field. Over the years, I’ve also watched DV-alert evolve, especially as technology progressed, making the training even more accessible to everyone.
 

DV-alert: What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the field of domestic and family violence since you started your career?

Buffy: One of the biggest changes is the rise of Men’s Behavioural Change Programs. These programs hold men accountable for their choice to use family, domestic, and sexual abuse against women and children. It’s time to challenge the idea that women should have to flee the family home to prove they are protecting themselves. Men need to be part of the solution if we want to end violence in this country. We’re also focusing more on the root causes of violence, like gender inequality, male privilege, and coercive control, which weren’t widely acknowledged when I first started.
 

DV-alert: What advice would you give to the frontline workers considering attending DV-alert workshops?

Buffy: Don’t even think twice—just do it! Get your whole team to complete the DV-alert training, whether they are frontline workers or not. Domestic and family violence is at a crisis point in Australia, and we need as much education and public awareness as possible. Media exposure and accessible programs like DV-alert are crucial to bringing that change into workplaces and homes.

Buffy’s story is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of DV-alert training, not just in individual growth, but in creating widespread change within organisations and communities. Buffy’s journey with DV-alert has shaped her work, spanning employment services, family and domestic violence services, legal services, mental health and the homelessness sector. It’s a testament to the power of education in making a difference in the fight against domestic and family violence.

Have you attended a DV-alert workshop and want to share your experience? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected] and share your story for a chance to be featured on our platforms. Your insights could inspire others and contribute to the ongoing effort to end violence against women and children.