The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse held more than 8,000 private sessions, 64.3% were with men. The Australian Child Maltreatment Study published in April 2024, found that 18.8% of Australian men surveyed had experienced child sexual abuse. This equates to approximately 2.5million Australian men.
Based in Parramatta, NSW, the Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) is the only organisation in Australia dedicated to working with male survivors of child sexual abuse and their families. SAMSN offers a range of free services and programs regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
SAMSN is deeply committed to meeting the needs of all male survivors, guided by trauma-informed principles and a strong focus on inclusion. Recognising the diverse needs of survivors, SAMSN ensures that its programs are physically, emotionally, and culturally accessible by providing flexible modes of participation—such as online and in-person options—and adapting environments to remove barriers.
SAMSN’s vision is for a society where male survivors of child sexual abuse can easily access peer and professional support. The purpose of the organisation is to build a support network that gives voice and agency to survivors and their supporters, enabling survivors to heal from child sexual abuse, support others to thrive and be leaders for change.
SAMSN’s programs are tailored to meet survivors where they are at. All services operate within a trauma-informed framework where recognising safety, choice, collaboration, trust and empowerment are key.
The services provided are based on the model of professionally facilitated peer support and the belief that male survivors can heal from their abuse, support other to thrive and be leaders for change.
- Eight-week Support Groups
- Monthly Drop-in Meetings
- Peer Support Phone Line
- Counselling for Survivors & Supporters
- Individual Planned Support Services.
SAMSN is also a funded Redress Support Service provider. We offer free, confidential, face-to-face and telephone support to any male survivor residing in NSW (or where the abuse occurred in NSW and the person resides in another state or territory) and is considering applying to the National Redress Scheme.
The services offered by SAMSN (Eight-week Support Groups, Peer Support Phone Line and Planned Support) have been accredited by Suicide Prevention Australia.
How to Connect
For more information, visit https://www.samsn.org.au/. To make a referral visit https://www.samsn.org.au/referral-form/ or call 1800 472 676.
