We regret to announce that the Don’t become That Man advice and referral line closed at midnight, 30 June, and we are no longer receiving referrals.
Over the last thirteen months the phone line and counselling service has grown into a key front line tool in addressing controlling and potentially violent behaviour in the home. The Don’t Become That Man phone line service has redirected numerous men away from causing potentially devastating harm to their partners and family and has enabled many more to start accepting and dealing with concerns they have about their behaviour.
Due to our funding being removed, we are unable to maintain the Don’t Become That Man service at present. The decision to cease our funding was unexpected, and we are devastated at having to halt the service. The approach to diverting potential perpetrators of controlling or violent behaviour is proven to work and proven to protect potential victims. We remain hopeful that we can re-start this vital service in the near future. In the meantime, our innovative Adelaide-based perpetrator accommodation services will continue through to the end of the year. We will also ensure all individuals currently being supported through the advice and referral service will be responsibly transitioned out of the service.
We would also like to put on record our thanks to the brilliant team who have operated the line for the last six months. The team will spend the next few weeks responsibly transitioning clients to ensure that the safety of women is maintained.
WHAT IS DON'T BECOME THAT MAN?
The name Don’t Become That Man was created to encourage and facilitate early intervention and prevention programs for men who have concerns about their current controlling behaviour, and even more concerns about how that behaviour might escalate to violence. Following highly publicised and significant domestic violence/abuse events, particularly those involving lethal violence, men have contacted helplines all over Australia looking for help so that their lives don’t end up creating a similar disaster for their partners and families.
