One in three victims of family violence are male

Service Directory

I’m male and I’m being abused.
what support is available?

This page provides a list of known services in Australia and internationally, along with a selection of generic services that might also be able to help you. We have also provided links to a selection of online resources that may be useful for male victims to read. We are aware there aren't many tailored services or resources available for male victims of family violence and abuse and are working to improve this.

Please be aware that some services might at best be unaware of the unique issues faced by male victims of family violence and at worst might even blame, shame, ridicule, minimise, disbelieve or misunderstand you. If this happens, please ask to speak to another staff member or try another service. Don't give up!

You should be aware, for example, that the MARAM Framework, which provides guidance to organisations such as 1800-RESPECT and MensLine Australia states:

“A smaller number of heterosexual, cisgender men do experience violence from cisgender female intimate partners. Professionals should exercise caution when responding to family violence where this relationship dynamic is reported. There may be potential for perpetrators and victim survivors to be misidentified where male perpetrators report or present as a victim survivor, adopting a victim stance. Male perpetrators may adopt a victim stance generally, or in relation to their experience of violent resistance from a victim survivor. Men who experience violent resistance from victim survivors (violence that responds to their own ongoing use of family violence risk behaviours, such as coercive and controlling behaviours) are not victim survivors.”

GENERAL HELP

Police - In an emergency, call 000 (or 112 from a mobile phone). The police have the power and responsibility to intervene to protect you from physical or sexual violence or stalking.

Lifeline - A crisis support and suicide prevention helpline for all people. There is no guarantee they will be able to respond appropriately to men experiencing family violence and abuse, but they might still be very useful. Lifeline provides access to 24-hour telephone counselling on one national number. Call 131 114  for the cost of a local call or go to their website at www.lifeline.org.au. Other resources can be found at lifeline.org.au/get-help.

Police Corruption - If you are a victim of police misconduct and/or abuse of judicial process, please use the appropriate link below to make a complaint. If possible identify yourself rather than making an anonymous complaint as it adds credibility. Make sure you detail all the alleged conduct, including who was involved, what occurred, where and when. If you can include supporting documentation it will be advantageous and will minimise delays in decision making. Insist upon the public interest nature of your issues, as this is the major criterion they use to determine whether to take your case. Three days after making your complaint, telephone the agency to ask for feedback.

NSW www.lecc.nsw.gov.au
VIC www.ibac.vic.gov.au/reporting-corruption/other-complaint-agencies
QLD www.ccc.qld.gov.au/complainants/matters-we-deal
SA www.icac.sa.gov.au/opi/complaint-agencies
WA www.ccc.wa.gov.au/reporting-corruption
TAS www.integrity.tas.gov.au/reporting/making-a-complaint
NT
icac.nt.gov.au/make-a-report
ACT www.aclei.gov.au/report-corruption-issue

FAMILY VIOLENCE (AUSTRALIA)

FAMILY VIOLENCE (INTERNATIONAL)

SEXUAL ASSAULT & ABUSE

A comprehensive Australia-wide list of sexual assault services for men is available at www.livingwell.org.au/Counsellingandsupport/Australiawidesexualassaultservices.aspx.

CHILD ABUSE

Adults Surviving Child Abuse - ASCA is a national organisation which works to improve the lives of adult survivors of child abuse throughout Australia. Call 1300 657 380 for the cost of a local call or go to www.ascasupport.org/. State and territory numbers are as follows: NSW (02) 8920 3611, SA (08) 8388 5661, VIC (03) 9880 7070, QLD 0419 724 561, NT 0408 280 502.

Australian Childhood Foundation - Their website will help you understand more about child abuse and neglect. It will give you ideas about steps you can take to stop it. It will answer many of the questions that you have about the topic. It will also help you to know what to do if you are worried about the safety of a child, a family or are experiencing problems yourself. www.stopchildabuse.com.au 

Kids Helpline - National - 1800 55 1800 - www.kidshelp.com.au

NAPCAN - The mission of NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is to prevent child abuse and neglect and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every Australian child. www.napcan.org.au

NNAAMI - National Network of Adult and Adolescent Children who have a Mentally Ill Parent/s. Their website is nnaami.org.

Parentline - Provides a telephone counselling service to parents and carers of children aged from birth to eighteen years. Check out their website at www.parentline.com.au. State and territory numbers are as follows: ACT (02) 6287 3833, NSW 1300 130 052, NT 1300 301 300, QLD 1300 301 300, SA 1300 301 300, TAS 1300 808 179, VIC 13 22 89, WA 1800 654 432.

Raising Children Network - The Australian parenting website raisingchildren.net.au

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect - contact details for all states and territories:

ACT - 1300 556 728 or 1300 556 729 www.communityservices.act.gov.au/ocyfs/children/child-and-youth-protection-services/report-child-abuse-and-neglect

NSW - 132 111 - www.community.nsw.gov.au

NT - 1800 700 250 - nt.gov.au/law/crime/report-child-abuse

QLD - 07 3235 9999 - www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/child-abuse/reporting-child-abuse

SA - 131 478 - www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/health-and-wellbeing/child-abuse/report-child-abuse

TAS - 1300 737639 - www.communities.tas.gov.au/children/child_protection_services/what_can_i_expect_when

VIC - 131 278 - https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/reporting-child-abuse

WA - 08 9492 5444 (WA Police: Child Abuse Investigation Unit) https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Your-Safety/Child-abuse

ELDER ABUSE

The Seniors Rights Victoria Online Elder Abuse Tool Kit can be found at https://seniorsrights.org.au/resources-education/elder-abuse-toolkit

Elder Abuse prevention, advocacy and information telephone numbers for all states and territories:

ACT - Elder Abuse Prevention Information Line 02 6205 3535. www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/images/pdf/ptg-fs-elderabuse.pdf

NSW - Police Assistance Line 131 444 | Seniors Information Service 131 244. www.facs.nsw.gov.au/resources/statistics/ageing-and-disability-abuse-helpline

NT - NT Health Services - 08 8999 2809 | NT Police 131 444. www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/protecting-elders-abuse-neglect

QLD - Elder Abuse Prevention Unit 1300 651 192 or 07 3250 1955. www.eapu.com.au

SA - Aged Rights Advocacy Service - 08 8232 5377 (Adelaide) or 1800 700 600 (rural). www.sa.agedrights.asn.au

TAS - Elder Abuse Hotline - 1800 005 131, Text 0457 806 963. advocacytasmania.org.au/i-need-some-help

VIC - Seniors Rights Victoria - 1300 386 821 or www.seniorsrights.org.au

WA - Advocare Inc - 08 9479 7566 (Perth) or 1800 655 566 (rural). www.advocare.org.au

LGBTIQA+ SUPPORT

LEGAL AID

Protection orders are orders of the court that can help to stop violence and intimidation. They are not the same as a criminal charge, but it is a crimnal offence to disobey one. Anyone affected by domestic and family violence can ask the the police to apply to the Court on their behalf to obtain an order. Protection orders have different names in different states and Territories. Please click on your state below to find the details relevant to you: ACT: Domestic Violence Orders, NSW: Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders, QLD: Domestic Violence Protection Orders, NT: Domestic Violence Orders, SA: Intervention Orders, VIC: Family Violence Intervention Orders, WA: Violence Restraining Orders, TAS: Family Violence Orders.

Domestic Violence and Personal Protection Order Unit (ACT) - Has specialist domestic and family violence lawyers who are available to provide you with free legal help every day of the week at the ACT Magistrates Court, regardless of how much you earn or what property you own. Their services include assistance applying for Family Violence Orders, assistance understanding and responding to Family Violence Orders, referrals to non-legal support services, and assistance to access non-legal solutions. For ongoing legal assistance and representation see Applying for Legal Aid at www.legalaidact.org.au/what-we-do/legal-representation.

LawAccess (NSW) - Provides free telephone legal information, advice, referral and assistance to people in NSW. Call 1300 888 529 for the cost of a local call. Plain language legal information resources can be accessed on their website at www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au.

Domestic Violence Legal Service (NT) - a free legal service for persons who have experienced or are at risk of domestic or family violence in Darwin and the greater Darwin region. Call 08 8999 7977 or visit dvls.nt.gov.au.

Legal Aid Queensland (QLD) - provides a website about domestic and family violence at www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/Find-legal-information/Relationships-and-children/Domestic-and-family-violence/What-is-domestic-and-family-violence.

Legal Services Commission (SA) - A legal adviser who specialises in domestic violence is available to assist victims with legal matters where domestic violence is a factor. Appointments may be made by telephoning their Legal Help Line on 1300 366 424 or by visiting lsc.sa.gov.au/cb_pages/legal_advice_dv.php.

Tasmania Legal Aid (TAS) - To get free legal information call 1300 366 611 9am to 5pm M-F or use the Legal Talk chat service at www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/factsheets/family-violence.

Victoria Legal Aid (VIC) - For free information about family violence intervention orders and how they can help you with your legal problem. Call Legal Help on 1300 792 387 8am - 6pm M - F or visit www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/family-violence-intervention-orders/get-help.

Legal Aid Western Australia (WA) - Runs the Domestic Violence Legal Unit: a free specialist unit which provides holistic assistance to women, children, and men in same sex relationships that are experiencing or have been impacted by family and domestic violence. www.legalaid.wa.gov.au/find-legal-answers/family/family-violence-and-your-safety/get-help-family-violence-and-your-safety.

IMMIGRANTS & MEN FROM NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING BACKGROUNDS

Translating and Interpreting Service (National) - The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) provides this service for people who do not speak English and for the English speakers who need to communicate with them. TIS National is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any person or organisation in Australia requiring interpreting services. Call 131 450 24/7 or go to www.tisnational.gov.au/

Family Violence and Partner Visas factsheet - people who are on a Partner visa do not have to stay in an abusive relationship to stay in Australia. More information at www.dss.gov.au/women/publications-articles/reducing-violence/family-violence-and-partner-visas.

RECOMMENDED READING

Domestic Violence:

Domestic Violence Against Men and Boys - Experiences of Male Victims of Intimate Partner Violence - Edited By Elizabeth A. Bates, Julie C. Taylor
Breaking the Silence: A Practical Guide for Male Victims of Domestic Abuse - Dr. Elizabeth Celi
The Abuse of Men: Trauma Begets Trauma - Barbara Jo Brothers
Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence - Philip W. Cook
The Abusive Personality, Second Edition: Violence and Control in Intimate Relationships - Donald G. Dutton
Domestic Violence: The 12 Things You Aren't Supposed to Know - Thomas B. James
Rethinking Domestic Violence - Donald G. Dutton
Venus: The Dark Side - Roy Sheppard & Mary T Cleary
Truth and Prejudice: Men's Experiences of Domestic Violence - Edith Crawford
Women Who Perpetrate Relationship Violence: Moving Beyond Political Correctness - Fred Buttell & Michelle Mohr Carney
Older Men's Business: Valuing Relationships, Living with Change - Jack Zinn (while not specific advice/support for victims of family violence/abuse, this book may be a supportive text for building abused men's self awareness and self efficacy)

Sexual Assault:

Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse - Mike Lew
The Courage to Heal - Ellen Bass & Laura Davis (while this book is written by women for women and does not specifically address men’s issues, it nevertheless is an excellent book about recovery)
The Courage to Heal Workbook - Laura Davis
Broken Boys, Mending Men: Recovery from Childhood Sexual Abuse - Stephen D. Grubman-Black
Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims Of Sexual Abuse - Mic Hunter
Wounded Boys, Heroic Men: A Man's Guide To Recovering From Child Abuse - Daniel J. Sonkin
The Invisible Wound: A New Approach to Healing Childhood Sexual Abuse - Wayne Kritsberg