Planned Support & Counselling

Support tailored to your needs

Individual planned support is based on the needs identified by male survivors and draws from the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutionalised Responses to child sexual abuse. We use a collaborative approach in our aim to achieve a wrap-around support for all survivors we work with.

This involves partnering or walking alongside survivors and their families to provide practical support in dealing with agencies such as Centrelink, Housing, Victims Services, National Redress Scheme, Police, Counselling Services and the legal system.

SAMSN employs clinicians with specialist skills as well as those with lived experience to provide this service. SAMSN workers can accompany survivors to interviews, set up appointments, make calls on behalf of survivors, advocate for access to services, assist with navigating government systems and finding ways to resolve difficulties, as well as referrals to other agencies.

SAMSN also has a specialist trauma-informed counsellor who can provide short term counselling and assist survivors and their supporters to access longer term counselling if needed. This service can be provided either in-person or over the phone.

Common reasons for contacting SAMSN

Need to talk

Talk to a mate that can relate

Trouble in relationships

Professional support and counselling for survivors, family and supporters

Struggles with drugs, alcohol and gambling

Help to understand the impacts of abuse and tools to assist recovery

Need help dealing with impact like flashbacks

Help to understand the impacts of abuse and tools to assist recovery

Dealing with feelings of guilt and shame

Help to understand the impacts of abuse and tools to assist recovery

Need practical and emotional support

Links to helpful readings and resources

Feeling isolated

Connection with other survivors

Overwhelmed by debt, work and other life issues

Practical assistance in dealing with housing, victim services and Centrelink

Seeking justice

Help reporting to the police, legal services, seeking national Redress and compensation

Supporters & Survivors Workshop

Find Resources

Raelene

SAMSN Counsellor

“I hold dear the idea that every person has the right to safety (physical and emotional), to justice and to dignity and to feel whole. It is a privilege and honour to walk alongside someone, who has been burdened by the violence done to them, as they find safety and challenge previously held views about themselves and their relationships”.

Jaclyn

SAMSN Planned Support Worker

“I believe everyone has the strength to be the leader of their own life, but for some of us, that strength is taken away. Through SAMSN I have the opportunity to support people in finding that again. This might be achieved simply through help filling out a form, by phone call support, or an office visit once a week; but not much compares to walking alongside someone, and watching as they take back the power and control they forgot they had”.

Haylee

Planned Support Worker

“My role at SAMSN is unique in that I have the ability to assist guys and their supporters in the difficult times but also be there to celebrate every win. What I say to everyone when I meet them is, I am a straight shooter, I will be nothing but open and honest with you. I am happy to assist with everything, from making a phone call to lodging an application, you just need to ask. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to sit with people and listen to them”.