Agencies are working across the nation to assist men during an unprecedented pandemic. We’re still here to help.
- The Australian Government provides up-to-date information and offers translated COVID-19 updates
- Victorian Legal Aid provides timely advice for people involved in family violence matters
- Magistrate’s Court of Victoria, Practice Directions, provide
sinformation for people who are working with the courts.
The Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) is a counselling service available to men and families. The service specialises in family violence matters. If any of the following apply to you, please consider calling Men’s Referral Service:
- You feel “on edge” and are quick to respond to family members with anger
- You are having angry or violent thoughts about family members
- Your responses to situations feel like they “come out of nowhere” and you’re worried about how you might behave
- Police have been called due to your behaviour
- You are worried about your family members’ aggressive behaviour and you don’t know where to turn
- You cannot see your children and you don’t know what to do
- You have an upcoming court date concerning a family violence matter.
Practice Bulletins
Since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, No to Violence and the Men’s Referral Service have used our regular drop-in sessions to maintain contact and support with sector workers during COVID-19, across the nation. The drop-in sessions have acted as a catalyst to share ideas and knowledge of the sector to assist and support everyone working to end men’s use of violence – we have developed a number of Practice Bulletins:
Practice Bulletin 1 (24 March 2020) – Advice around closure of Men’s Behaviour Change Programs
Practice Bulletin 2 (9 April 2020) – Adjusting to lock down, observed behaviours and telephone engagement during a pandemic
Practice Bulletin 3 (17 April 2020) – Gambling and the impact of, and responses to, COVID-19 on the broader domestic and family violence sector
Practice Bulletin 4 (1 May 2020) – Children and fathering, and elder abuse as well as a practice note on fathering.
Practice Bulletin 5 (8 May 2020) – Measuring outcomes and suicide risk during pandemic.
Practice Bulletin 6 (16 May 2020) – Impact of COVID-19 on LGBTIQA+ communities, and family law.
Practice Bulletin 7 (22 May 2020) – Cumulative impact of natural disasters and COVID-19, mental health and counselling, disability.
Practice Bulletin 8 (19 June 2020) – Self care and managing expectations, supervision and online service delivery.
First Nations Practice Bulletins
Since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, No to Violence and the Men’s Referral Service have used drop-in sessions every Wednesday to maintain contact and support with sector workers. These resources are created for those working with First Nations.
Community of Practice Bulletins
Since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, No to Violence and the Men’s Referral Service have used our regular drop-in sessions to maintain contact and support with sector workers.
Community of Practice Bulletin 1 (15 April 2020) – Contacting the affected family members, risk management for children, MARAM and communication with MBCP facilitators.
Community of Practice Bulletin 2 (27 April 2020) – Administrative changes to practice, consideration of practice changes that might be beneficial to continue post COVID-19, and updates to MBCPs.
Community of Practice Bulletin 3 (12 May 2020) – Summary of ANROWS research, Family Safety Advocacy work.
BETTER MAN
You may find yourself under increased strain under social distancing, or arguments with your family have become more common. Things you once considered small may now seem huge.
BETTER MAN is a new and confidential website that can help: http://public.betterman.org.au.
BETTER MAN aims to motivate men who are worried about their behaviour to seek help at an early stage. The website is in three modules focusing on relationships, values and communication. All modules have online messaging and feedback tailored according to user input.
BETTER MAN is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne and No to Violence.
