Mensline Queensland

FREECALL 1800 600 636

What is Mensline Queensland?

Mensline is a free, confidential telephone counselling referral and support service for men.  It is a Queensland wide service that currently operates between the hours of 9am - 12midnight, 7 days a week.

Mensline offers professional counselling and information, and acts as a strategic point of referral for Queensland men around issues of:

• domestic and family violence
• relationship problems and separation issues,
• men’s health,
• child support,
• family law issues,
• suicide
• and other significant issues for men.

Importantly Mensline offers specialist assistance for men who are seeking strategies to address their own use of violence and other destructive patterns in their personal lives and relationships, as well as those who may be (or have been) victims of violence themselves.

“When my partner left me and took the kids, I was a mess....alternating between rage, confusion and depression . I knew I had problems with my temper but didn’t know where to start until I called Mensline.. All sorts of things had been going through my head, but instead of stuffing things up forever, the guys at Mensline helped me understand I was not alone and gave me support to get myself back on track.”
David, 34

Mensline also receives calls from people seeking information about these, and related issues, such as family members, parents and friends  .      

Mensline counsellors maintains a wide data base of statewide services, groups, courses and conferences are able to direct callers to services in their local areas for ongoing support - from the Torres Strait to Cooloongatta. 

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What is the Mensline Court Support Service?

Mensline provides a court support service at four Magistrates Courts across Queensland for men involved in domestic and family violence procedures. Court support and related information can also be accessed by phoning Mensline.

This strategic service aims to give men the opportunity to access professional support and information around communication and the effects of violence and abuse at this critical time.

• explaining what is happening with court procedures and processes and the choices available (this does not include legal advice)
• counselling men who are angry, distressed, confused, remorseful or depressed, both before and after court appearances
• providing choices and options for counselling, treatment or support programmes

Sadly, many men leave the court process feeling very angry and/or depressed. They often do not know where to begin to work through these strong emotions. This may manifest in further expressions of violence towards their families, the wider community or themselves.

It is intended that Mensline Court Support service will allow men to feel heard and supported at this crucial time, and assist men to gain the support needed to make positive choices towards getting their lives back in order and to stop using violence in their realtionships.

dvconnect is currently seeking ongoing funding for this service. For further information about this please contact Mensline on 1800 600 636, or dvconnect administration on (07) 3008 8294.

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What are the values of Mensline Queensland?

Mensline Mission Statement:

To undertake a wide range of activities, including direct telephone services to men who are experiencing or who use/have used violence in their spousal/family/intimate or informal carer relationships. Its aim is the prevention of male family violence including that in same sex or transgender couples.

Statement of Purpose:

To provide counselling support, information, referral and education services to men who have inflicted or at risk of inflicting violence on family members and to family members exposed to male family violence or the risk of male family violence.

Philosophy

No Queenslander will be more than a telephone call away from professional information and support to sustain her or him in dealing with domestic and family violence in her/his own life.

This advice will be offered in a way which meets her/his cultural expectations, respects and protects his/ her privacy and is delivered in a way which takes account of any special communication needs.

Understanding family violence.

• Family Violence is largely about the misuse of power and control in the context of male dominance.
All forms of violence are unacceptable and must be challenged at all times.
• Men are responsible for their use of violence.
• Men can change and challenge other men to work for change.

Appropriate Community Responses to Family Violence.

• The community response needs to be consistent and integrated on all levels.
• Everyone affected by domestic violence is entitled to support services.
• It is valuable for men and women to work together to prevent family violence.
• All work to prevent family violence must be non-violent.

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Appropriate ways of working with men for change

• Change is about choice and responsibility.
• Men need to be supported and challenged to take responsibility.
• Men require education about domestic violence.
• Men need the opportunity for personal development.
• The change process is gradual and takes time.
• Information is available from a range of sources about how to facilitate change.
• Challenging the tactics used by abusers to avoid or minimize taking responsibility for abusive behavior.

Some basic practice principles:

• Practice that ensures clients are treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity.
• Being non-judgmental.
• Treating clients as individuals with dignity and respect which takes into account their cultural back ground, sexual preferences, religious or other affiliations or other individual needs or differences.
• Never colluding with offenders.

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