Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault SAMSSA

Crisis and Counselling Support Line (02) 6247 2525. Text Only 0488 586 518

Phone support between 7am and 11pm, and all counselling related enquiries, including all appointments and referrals.

The Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA) offers:

• Counselling support, face-to-face or over the telephone for male survivors

• Both male and female counsellors are available

• Information about male sexual assault for survivors, their partners, family, friends and supporters

• Referral to or information about other useful services

• Education for community, school and professional groups about male sexual assault and related issues

• Groups for male survivors who are looking to expand their support to include other survivors (when available)

Who can use SAMSSA?

• Men over the age of 16 in the ACT and surrounding region recovering from sexual assault or childhood sexual assault

• Men of any race, ethnicity, culture, religious belief, sexual orientation, ability or disability

• Family, partners and supporters of male survivors who need support for themselves

• Organisations, institutions and other professional services wishing to learn more about sexual assault or improve their service delivery to male survivors

• Professional, community workers and others working with male survivors who who want information or advice about male sexual assault 

SAMSSA DOES NOT PROVIDE SERVICES TO MEN WHO USE SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST OTHER MEN, WOMEN OR CHILDREN

SAMSSA DOES NOT PROVIDE PERPETRATOR COUNSELLING SERVICES OR PROGRAMMES

SAMSSA has worked with hundreds of courageous men, and their families and supporters, and they have taught us a great deal. 

It can be very hard for a man to ask for help because of cultural expectations about manhood, fear of ridicule and shame. We encourage male survivors of child sexual assault, and adult men who have been raped or assaulted, to seek support and counselling services. This will assist in lowering the potential risk of long term impacts of sexual assault trauma - including the impacts of living in isolation.