A MALLEE social support organisation has welcomed federal funding for three early intervention support services for men, including those who perpetrate or experience family and domestic violence.
No to Violence will receive an additional $1.89 million from 2024-25 to 2025-26 for the Men’s Referral Service and the Brief Intervention Service, and Lifeline Australia will receive an additional $800,000 in 2024-25 for MensLine Australia.
Mallee Accommodation and Support Program acting chief executive Charmaine Calis said early intervention in family violence played a key role in preventing men from escalating their behaviour.
“Prevention is always better than cure, which is why it is good to see these national programs receive more funding in order to protect victim-survivors from immediate and long-term harm,” she said.
“MASP staff see the impacts of family and domestic violence every day and the significant impact this has on those within our communities.
“Everybody has the right to feel safe and secure and we want to see a world where this is the case.”
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said this funding supported the early intervention goals of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32.
“We know with increased awareness and media reporting on family, domestic and sexual violence, more people are reaching out to these helplines,” Ms Rishworth said. This is a good thing.
“Particularly with our campaigns like Stop it at the Start and Consent Can’t Wait fostering understanding of what family, domestic and sexual violence is and how it starts, early intervention services are assisting more men across the country.”
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said the government knew how important it was to intervene early in order to break the cycle of violence.
“Our government is proud to deliver an almost $2.7 million funding boost for these vital early intervention services,” Ms Elliot said.
“These national programs importantly engage with men early to stop violence from escalating and protect victim-survivors from immediate and long-term harm.”
The Men’s Referral Service provides a 24/7 counselling, information and referral service for men who use violence, their friends, family and colleagues, and professionals working with these men.
The Brief Intervention Service provides multi-session telephone-based counselling and referral options to assist men who have used violence to get further support.
MensLine Australia is a free 24/7 national service that provides early intervention support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, addiction, relationships, stress, wellbeing, and their use or experience of family and domestic violence.
For more information on MASP’s Family Safety Programs, visit www.masp.org.au/how-we-help/family-safety.
People who need urgent help because of sexual assault, domestic or family violence should call 000. Support services are available through The Orange Door, 1800 290 943, or Mallee Sexual Assault Unit and Domestic Violence Service, 5025 5400.
