Support for men who use violence to change their behaviour
No to Violence provides a range of services to support men concerned about their behaviour to change what they are doing and keep women, children and communities safer.
Each of the services on this web page is operated by qualified and experienced counsellors and family violence experts at No to Violence.
Men’s Referral Service
Available nationally
The Men’s Referral Service is the national counselling, information and referral service for men who use violence and abuse to change their behaviour.
Who can the Men’s Referral Service support?
Men who are seeking support to change their behaviours.
Family members who are impacted by a man’s use of violent and abusive behaviours.
Friends, family or colleagues of men who may be using family violence and wanting to know how to best support them.
Professionals working with men who are using violence or family members impacted by violence and seeking secondary consultation.
What happens when you call us
- You can remain anonymous – you don’t need to give us your name or any identifying details
- We will listen to you and treat you with respect
- We will do our best to help you
- We will provide you with referrals to local services that will help you take the next steps
- Find out what types of support are available
The Men’s Referral Service can have a conversation with you, help you with some short term tactics, and put you in touch with some supports that can help you along your journey.
Brief Intervention Service (BIS)
Available nationally
The Brief Intervention Service (BIS) is a flexible, multi-session service to provide counselling support and referral options to assist men who have used violence to get further support.
BIS focuses on providing short term multi-sessional telephone support for men who use family violence, men who are on a waiting list for family violence support (such as Men’s Behaviour Change Program) and men who are unable to access family violence support because:
- Services are not readily available, and unable to take active referrals due to waitlists.
- They live in remote or regional areas.
- They have barriers to attend group programs.
- They are from a non-English speaking background
It is important to note that the Brief Intervention Service is not, and does not replace a men’s behaviour change program or group.
You can access BIS by calling the Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 or via our 24-hour chat service (see bottom right of screen)
Men’s Accommodation and Counselling Service (MACS)
Only available in Victoria
The Men’s Accommodation and Counselling Service (MACS) works with men who cannot go to their home due to their use of family violence.
This service is designed to keep you and your family safe.
MACS is for men who have used family violence and:
- Cannot go to their home due to family violence (via a Family Violence Intervention Order or Family Violence Safety Notice)
- Are in need of crisis accommodation.
- Are interested in engaging in counselling support to address their behaviour.
What you can expect from us:
- You will speak to a qualified counsellor who will support you into accommodation.
- You will be treated with respect and without judgement.
- Qualified counsellors will speak with you about ways of addressing violent and abusive behaviour.
- Qualified counsellors will help you get access to counselling services such as mental health, drug and alcohol, the Caring Dads program and Men’s Behaviour Change Programs.
You can access MACS by calling the Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 or via our 24-hour chat service (see bottom right of screen)
Family Advocacy Support Service (FASS)
Only available in Victoria
No to Violence operates the Family Advocacy Support Service (FASS) in the Melbourne and Dandenong Family Courts and also family law circuit locations in Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mildura and Morwell.
FASS is an important national service, funded by the Commonwealth Government to support anyone who has experienced, used, or is alleged to have used, family violence.
No to Violence’s FASS workers are trained men’s family violence practitioners, whose primary role is to engage men affected by family violence – including men who are victims of family violence, as well as men who have allegations of family violence made against them in their family law matter – to access to legal information and advocacy in relation to family law proceedings.
Through FASS, men are supported with:
- Access to legal advice regarding family law matters from duty lawyers
- Receive information and advocacy regarding family law proceedings
- Referrals to appropriate support services
- Safety planning and risk assessment (if applicable)
- Links to other court services.
Your rights and responsibilities
Client charter of rights and responsibilities
This letter provides important information for you to be aware of, as a client of the MRS. The letter includes:
- Client Charter of Right and Responsibilities; and
- NTV’s Privacy Statement (including confidentiality and consent)
