Peer Support Phone Line

A smiling man sitting at a computer, talking on a phone headset.

Talk with a mate who can relate.

Have you received a Section 24 letter from the National Redress Scheme or a request for more information?

Click here for further information

We are here to Help

We offer a specialist telephone support service providing the opportunity for male survivors to talk with a peer.

At SAMSN, we understand the value of connection and community and the role they play in recovery and healing. We also understand the barriers that can sometimes get in the way of connecting and finding the most appropriate support. That is why we offer a specialist telephone support service providing the opportunity for male survivors to talk with a peer who has been trained to respond to their peer caller’s needs. This is someone with lived experience who can identify with the issues so often faced by men living with the impacts of child sexual abuse (CSA).  

This is not a crisis helpline but rather, a peer support service for male survivors of CSA. Participants of SAMSN’s Eight-Week Support Groups have told us time and time again about how powerful it is to find connection through peer support. This is important for many men who may be seeking to speak with other survivors who “get it”. While our histories of abuse may be different, all SAMSN’s peer support workers have had first-hand experience of SAMSN’s support services and what it takes to grow stronger than your past.   

Speaking with another survivor already on their path toward recovery and growth can help provide hope and healing.

This is a free and confidential service. The only information you need to provide is a contact number so we can phone you for the appointment. You can provide your name, email address and reason for contacting the service, however, these are optional.

Booking appointments

SAMSN’s Peer Support Phone Line is designed so that you can book your own appointment using the link below.  Alternatively, you can contact one of our Planned Support workers on 1800 472 676 to discuss all your support options, including booking you an appointment with one of your peers.

Appointments are scheduled for up to 45 mins and are available each week on Tuesday and Thursday at 6.15pm or 7.30pm.

Our Peer Support Phone Line bookings are available up to one month in advance. If no times are available, please check back in a day or two.

This is a free and confidential service. The only information you need to provide is a contact number so we can phone you for the appointment. You can provide your name, email address and reason for contacting the service, however, these are optional.

1st time callers please book here to speak with a peer
Returning callers – Book here

I spoke to one peer support man, I felt better knowing someone understands where I am coming from as a man.

Dan

Great to speak to someone who has been in my shoes.

Anonymous

I really appreciated the chance to speak with a survivor about the challenges in my life.

Ned

Sheer relief to actually know you’re not the only one but sometimes you feel like you were.

Anonymous

Enjoyed the conversation very much and thank you for all your support from my heart.

Jack

Reassuring as we both had very similar lived experiences.

Patrick

It was refreshing and gave me lots of hope and the ability to debrief/gain some insight with a trusted survivor. I felt less alone and that I was building some new steps to a healthier but more sustainable life.

Anonymous

I just needed that reassurance that life will get better.

Aaron

Less embarrassing, more natural, more understood, less apologetic, more mutual. A distinguishing aspect in the quality of conversation is in the shared life experience of the peer support person.

Izak

I think this is very valuable and beneficial supportive program that has made lives better. It would be crucial and important to keep the program running.

Will

Common reasons for contacting SAMSN

  • Need to talk | Talk with a mate who can relate
  • Trouble in relationships | Professional support and counselling for survivors, family and supporters
  • Feeling isolated | Connection with other survivors
  • 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
  • Overwhelmed by debt, work and other life issues | Practical assistance in dealing with housing, victim services and Centrelink
  • Struggles with drugs, alcohol and gambling | Help to understand the impacts of abuse and tools to assist recovery
  • Need practical and emotional support | Links to helpful readings and resources
  • Seeking justice | Help reporting to the police, legal services, seeking national Redressand compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is the Peer Support Phone Line and Who is it for? | SAMSN’s Peer Support Phone Line (PSPL) is a free and confidential after-hours service for male and male-identifying survivors of child sexual abuse. It offers the opportunity to speak with a peer who truly understands, since every person answering the line is a trained male peer who has completed the SAMSN Eight-week Support Group. These peers are paid staff who receive ongoing training, professional development, and regular supervision to support callers effectively. The PSPL is not a crisis line, the calls are pre-booked.  It provides a safe space for men to connect, feel validated, and find support from someone who has shared similar experiences.
  • What if I need urgent help? | If you are in immediate danger, call 000. The PSPL is not a crisis line. For crisis support, please call Lifeline on 131144.
  • Do I have to speak about what happened to me? | No.  We believe you don’t need to share the details of your abuse to heal and recover.  Some survivors want to share details about their abuse, but many don’t. You may choose to share details about your abuse if you feel comfortable doing so. However, in order to protect everyone’s emotional safety, we ask callers to avoid sharing explicit physical details when talking about childhood sexual abuse.
  • Is the PSPL counselling or therapy? | Our Peers are not trained counsellors or therapists. SAMSN’s Planned Support team can help you access counselling separately if you wish. You can contact them here or ask the Peer to get them to call you back.
  • Is the call confidential? | Yes. Calls are not recorded or monitored by others. Your information is confidential unless there is a risk of harm to you or others, in line with SAMSN policy. SAMSN PRIVACY POLICY
  • Are notes kept about my call? | Brief notes will be taken to help coordinate services and ensure quality support.  These are kept securely on our client data management system and are only accessible to authorised SAMSN staff, for follow-up if required.
  • What happens after the call? | If you would like ongoing support, SAMSN can connect you to Planned Support, counselling, or group programs.  Our intake workers follow up after the PSPL call if the Peer requests or if there are any concerns regarding your safety.
  • Can I have another call? | You can have 4 calls per year with a maximum of 2 calls with an individual Peer.  This is to ensure that all our new callers get access to our PSPL.
  • How are quality and safety maintained? | Peers have ongoing shift, group, and clinical supervision, and adhere to SAMSN’s procedures for safe, consistent, trauma-informed practice.
  • How do I book? | You can book through the SAMSN website or call 1800 472 676 for assistance.

For first time callers can book directly through the “First time caller” booking button.

For returning callers, please click the “Returning caller” button, which will take you to a form and you will be placed on a wait list for the first available spot.  The return caller list is monitored by our Programs Coordinator.  If you are a returning caller and accidentally book via the “First time caller” button, your booking will be automatically cancelled, and you will receive a link to resubmit as a returning caller. Sometimes, due to extensive booking issues, there may be delays on limited occasions in the cancellation and rebooking process.

  • What information do I need to provide? | Only a contact number is required. Providing your name (or you can use another name if you prefer) or email is optional.
  • Can a supporter book for me? | Yes. Supporters can assist with booking (with your consent) by calling 1800 472 676 or by filling out the online form. Supporters—including partners, friends, or family members—may also reach out to SAMSN to learn about resources for themselves through our other services, here Support for Supporters
  • Will I get a reminder? | Yes, you will receive an automatic email reminder 2 days before the call.  Those callers who are already engaged with SAMSN services and have consented to text communication, will also receive a reminder text.
  • What if I miss my call? | We will call you three times. The Peer will leave a voicemail that states, for example “This is John SAMSN for your booked call”.
    If you miss your call, you can rebook online or via SAMSN.
  • Is an interpreter available? | Yes. Interpreters can be arranged for telephone support services.  Some of our Peers speak other languages, so let us know and we can allocate you to them.

Survivors

  1. Support for survivors
    1. Peer Support Phone Line
    2. National Redress Scheme
    3. Eight-week Support Groups
    4. Planned Support
    5. Monthly Drop-in Meetings
    6. Counselling
  2. Resources for survivors
  3. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support
  4. Disability support
  5. Support for d/Deaf & Hard of Hearing