Agencies are working hard across the nation to assist men to address their violence and abusive behaviour during these times. This page provides links to government COVID-19 restrictions and information on practice for the sector that works with men who use violence. If you need additional assistance, please contact communications@ntv.org.au.
Men’s Referral Service
The Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) received funding from the Commonwealth Government in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic to expand support available across the country during these unprecedented times where risks and prevalence of family violence is high.
No matter where you are in Australia, No to Violence is currently delivering:
- The Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491), providing one-off counselling, de-escalation and referral to longer terms local supports such as Men’s Behaviour Change Programs.
- A brief intervention service, providing multiple counselling sessions to keep perpetrators engaged in the system whilst they await longer terms supports (i.e. due to long waiting lists as a result of physical distancing restrictions limiting service availability).
Physical distancing restrictions required for interventions
Different jurisdictions across Australia are at different points of the pandemic, which will have impacts on the way interventions are delivered. The advice below is general in nature and provided to our best knowledge, however organisations should visit their respective state government websites (links below) to ensure they have the most up to date advice.
If you are moving to online interventions, No to Violence has been funded by the Commonwealth Government to provide Remote Working Toolkit training – evidence informed training to support get the best outcomes in interventions. More information is here.
New South Wales
Maintain at least 1.5 metres from other members of the public.
Maximum density of one person per 4 square metres.
Face masks are not compulsory but strongly encouraged.
Refer to NSW Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
Queensland
Maintain at least 1.5 metres from other members of the public
Maximum density of one person per 4 square metres.
Businesses with floor space less than 200 square metres can have one person per 2 square metres, up to 50 people at a time.
Refer to Queensland Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
SPEAQ, the Queensland peak body for organisations that work with men who use violence, also have resources on their website.
South Australia
Maintain at least 1.5 metres from other members of the public.
Maximum density limit is one person per 2 square metres.
Refer to South Australian Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
Australian Capital Territory
Maintain at least 1.5 metres from other members of the public.
Maximum density of one person per 4 square metres in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Refer to ACT Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
Victoria
Melbourne:
Under Stage 4 restrictions, community based services which are required to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of vulnerable people are able to be open for on-site work, so long as they can ensure physical restrictions are followed.
Always ensure appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between people at all times.
The 5km travel zone and ‘once per day’ limit imposed by stage 4 restrictions does not apply for people accessing family violence support groups however, a person leaving home must travel no further than reasonably necessary and people are encouraged to attend support groups close to home to minimise travel time.
Family violence support groups should abide by curfew hours (i.e. they should operate between 5am and 8pm) wherever possible, to ensure that attendees can be home by 8pm.
Face masks must be worn at all times, unless an exemption applies.
Regional Victoria (including Mitchell Shire)
Always ensure appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between people at all times.
There can be no more than 20 people allowed in each separate space, with density requirements of one person per four square metres, in addition to those required to operate the group or facility.
Face masks must be worn at all times, unless an exemption applies.
Refer to Victorian Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
Western Australia
Maintain at least 1.5 metres from other members of the public.
Maximum density limit is one person per 2 square metres.
Refer to WA Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
Stopping Family Violence, the Western Australian peak body for organisations that work with men who use violence, also has resources on their website.
Tasmania
Maintain at least 1.5 metres from other members of the public.
Maximum density limit is one person per 2 square metres.
Refer to Tasmanian Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
Northern Territory
People are advised to stay 1.5m from people they do not know.
Refer to NT Government advice for the most up to date guidance.
Additional resources for practitioners
Across the pandemic, No to Violence has been working with its members and colleagues across the sector to share lessons and practice.
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.
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.
Practice Bulletin 9 (25 May 2020) – Women’s services’ experience of COVID-19.
Practice Bulletin 10 (1 June 2020) – Summary of drop-ins from sector practitioners and online abuse
Practice Bulletin 11 (8 June 2020) – Coercive control support and further training.
Practice Bulletin 12 (15 June 2020) – with Christine Craik, President of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
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.
MARAM Practice Bulletins (Victoria)
Since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, No to Violence has worked closely with Family Safety Victoria and other sector organisations to develop practice guidance for the family violence services
MARAM Practice Guide – Practice Note Update: Minimum response to victim survivors during COVID-19 period
MARAM Practice Guide – Practice Note Update: Specialist perpetrator behaviour change services minimum response to perpetrators during coronavirus (COVID-19) period
MARAM Practice Guide – Practice Note Update: Tier 2/3 services supporting responses to victim survivors and perpetrators during coronavirus (COVID-19) period
MARAM Practice Guide – Practice Note Update: Resource for working with adolescents using family violence and their families, during coronavirus (COVID-19) period
Legal referrals during COVID-19 for people experiencing and using family violence (Victoria)
Victorian Legal Aid has developed fact sheets for family violence practitioners making legal referrals during COVID-19 for people experiencing and using family violence.
Legal referrals during Covid-19 for respondents (PDF)
Legal referrals during Covid-19 for clients experiencing family violence (PDF)
