First Nations’ young men and boys will gain access to a specialist family violence hotline as the federal government expands the service.
Partnering with the Victorian government, the two governments will support the service Dardi Munwurro to enhance their Brother-to-Brother men’s crisis line as part of a shared objective to end violence against women and children.
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The service is available to callers aged 18 to 25, but Friday’s announcement will see $675,000 provided to Dardi Munwurro over the next three years so people as young as 10 can access the service.
The Brother-to-Brother phone line provides 24/7 support to males who are struggling with relationship issues, family and domestic violence, parenting, drug and alcohol or other issues.
Aboriginal men, including Elders, staff the phone line to promote a culturally safe service.
Those accessing the service, including teenagers, receive immediate assessment and support and referral to specialist services. Anyone in need of immediate support is connected with emergency services.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the federal government was committed to ending violence against women and children through targeting the underlying causes of violence and intervening early to stop violence from escalating.
“Violence against women and children is not inevitable. Governments at all levels need to be pulling in the same direction,” Minister Rishworth said.
“We need men and women, businesses, schools, sports clubs – every part of our community – to work hand-in-hand with us.
“We’re taking immediate and practical steps to support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence and address perpetrator behaviour, so the focus is not always on victim survivors.”