A structured educational program

The De-fuse Initiative

Change Starts With You

An online educational program for people appearing before the courts for domestic violence. Developed by experienced lawyers, it offers clear, structured learning that helps you understand the behaviour, the law, and its impact on others, at your own pace, and without judgement.

Begin the program See how it works
Developed by experienced lawyers Self-paced online learning Certificate upon completion
8 modules
~6 hours · self-paced
Certificate included
Developed by experienced lawyers
Structured educational program
Self-paced online learning
Certificate upon completion
What to expect

A clear, four-step journey.

1

Enrol

Sign up online and get immediate access to all eight modules.

2

Complete 8 modules

Work through the material at your own pace, on any device.

3

Reflect & finish assessment

Complete short knowledge checks and a guided reflection.

4

Receive your certificate

Finish with a certificate confirming you've completed the program.

A respectful place to begin.

This program is here to support understanding, not to judge. Many people may not have realised that certain words, behaviour or actions would be considered domestic violence, and learning is a constructive first step toward positive change.

Colleagues collaborating at a table
Experienced
lawyers
Why this program was created

Developed to fill an important gap.

The program was created by experienced lawyers who recognised that people appearing before the courts for domestic violence had few practical, educational resources to turn to. It offers a clear, structured way to understand the behaviour, the law, and the impact on others.

The courts have long recognised that education can help a person understand the reasons behind their behaviour and be better equipped to prevent it happening again. That understanding is what this program is designed to build.

Created from legal experience
How the program works

A structured learning experience.

Each module combines reading, video and reflection, with short knowledge checks to help the material settle. The aim is genuine understanding, at a pace that suits you.

Video-based learning

Plain-language video lessons alongside clear written material for each topic.

Knowledge checks

Short questions along the way help confirm understanding as you progress.

Interactive workbook

A downloadable workbook to work through each module and keep for reference.

Supporting resources

A closing information pack of services and organisations for ongoing support.

Try a question Module 1

In Australia, roughly 1 in how many women have experienced violence from an intimate partner since age 15?

Course overview

Building understanding, step by step.

The eight modules build on one another, beginning with what domestic violence is, moving through the law and its impact, and ending with reflection and next steps. All are available from the start, so you can learn at your own pace.

See full outline
Why education matters

Understanding the wider impact.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics; BOCSAR; NCOSS (2020).

Participant reflections

Reflections on the learning experience.

I came in expecting to be lectured, but it wasn't like that. It explained things clearly and gave me time to actually think about my situation, rather than just telling me what I'd done wrong.
Program participant
Working through it at my own pace made a real difference. The questions and the workbook made me stop and reflect properly, and by the end I understood things I hadn't really considered before.
Program participant

Begin when you're ready.

Positive change begins with understanding. All eight modules are available online, at any time, so you can start whenever the moment is right for you.

Begin the program Read the FAQ