Here are some excellent Australian support groups for men going through the painful process of divorce. No man is an island. By supporting single dads, we also support their children, their new romantic partners and other family members.
We all need friends. Robert Louis Stevenson said, “No man is useless while he has a friend”. Sadly, many men feel bereft of friends, especially if they are single dads going through a marriage breakup.
Interestingly the Irish Times, to celebrate International Men’s Day, asked their readers what it is like being a man. The headline of the story read, “Being a man is quite scary”.
Injustice
We get calls all the time from single dads going through the nightmare of the legal system which has an undoubted bias against the male of the species. We try to listen, provide encouragement, sometimes say a prayer and point these men in the right direction.
Many times, we get calls from mothers, grandmothers, and partners of the men in the middle of the nightmare, asking for help. Sometimes even the children reach out to us. They are profoundly disturbed by the venom that is poured out on the men in their lives and rightly so.
I am sure, as a reader of this newsletter, you get asked for advice from men going through the meat grinder — that is, the family law system. As an act of service for your friends, let me give you the names of five great groups that provide service to men and fathers in our nation in different ways.
Lone Fathers: https://lonefathers.com.au
Barry Williams founded the Lone Fathers Association, based in Canberra, in 1973. I was speaking to him yesterday. We have been friends for twenty years. Lone Fathers are the longest-standing fatherhood group in Australia and from my point of view, Barry Williams should receive the Victoria Cross and every other medal that is possible.
Barry and his team have singlehandedly saved the lives of thousands of men.
They have self-supporting chapters in various parts of Australia and in most states.
Reach them on 02 6239 4650 and yes, as the sign says, they are always open.
Men’s Rights Agency: https://mensrights.com.au
Sue Price founded the Men’s Rights Agency 27 years ago. I have known her for almost twenty years. She too is a living legend and like Barry has saved the lives of countless men over the years. Sue’s website says it all:
“In today’s world, no matter where one lives, men and boys face increasing hostility just because they are male. Fairness and equal treatment for both genders, the original aim of the women’s movement has been lost as society is encouraged to view men as perpetrators of evil and women as only victims.
Feminist jurisprudence, the perversion of legislation to provide advantages to one gender over the other, contrary to human rights considerations is creating a two-tier society, with men and boys relegated to second class citizen status.
MRA strategies provide a better chance for a more equitable outcome, especially for children, who should be able to spend time with both parents. Children need both a mum and a dad.”
Dads in Distress: https://parentsbeyondbreakup.com/dids
Tony Miller OAM, who writes for Dads4Kids, founded Dads in Distress in 1999 to help and support men going through the pain and torture of the family law system.
I have known Tony Miller for almost twenty years, and he too is a national hero. Like Barry, he and his team have saved the lives of thousands of men, and that is without exaggeration. See this early video.
Tony Miller has handed Dads in Distress on to others who renamed it Parents Without Partners in 2017, although thankfully, the Dads in Distress brand lives on thankfully. They have single father support groups all over Australia.
Two decades on, Dads in Distress have expanded their services to include a telephone helpline, LiveChat helpline, online forum and local ‘one-to-one’ mentors.
Their core ethos remains today to provide free support, and to utilise where possible only peer volunteers, all of whom have been through it themselves. This makes all the difference when you’re all out of money, and trust. Phone the helpline 1300 853 437 from 8:30AM – 5PM Monday to Saturday AEST.
Brotherhood of Fathers: https://theabf.com.au
The title of this article is the title of this organisation. Leith Erikson started the Australian Brotherhood of Fathers in 2013. They are based in Robina, Queensland. They are doing some great work for single dads.
The ABF have legal and financial services associated with the charity and run both in-person and for digital men’s groups. The ABF team run campaigns to lobby the government for better policies for families. Watch Leith giving testimony in front of a Parliamentary Committee here:
The Brotherhood of Fathers website tells the story well.
“The treatment of Australian families dealing with child access issues after separation is shameful and in many instances gender-biased. We are seeking better outcomes — it’s time for change.
The ABF is committed to fixing policy relating to family access after separation, to provide fair access outcomes for fathers, their children and their families.
Kids need both parents and society deserves better outcomes from the family law system and social policy. Our children deserve the very best outcomes which include access to both parents. Together we can bring positive reforms to child access after separation.”
Call them on 1300 008 602.
Mothers of Sons: https://www.mothersofsons.info
Their website says it all:
“Our sons have fought mighty battles for justice in family, magistrates and other criminal courts that no longer offer men fair treatment. Women need no evidence to make accusations of violence or sexual abuse that deprive men of their children, their homes, careers, and futures.
Some of us have spent our life savings protecting sons from false sexual assault allegations, paying a huge mental and financial toll to prove the charges had no substance.
Other sons are experiencing discrimination in the workplace or in educational institutions where advancement can be based on gender rather than merit. Some face #MeToo accusations, where unproven allegations can undermine a lifetime’s achievement and cause loss of career and reputation.
Some of our sons are victims, physically and emotionally abused by their partners — yet they are offered no protection or support and are often disbelieved.”
Email Contact: contact@mothersofsons.info
All the above groups are doing a great job for men and fathers, but it would be remiss of me not to mention the work of One in Three who are advocating for the one in three victims of family violence who are male.
Greg Andresen started One in Three on International Men’s Day, 19 November 2009. Greg is a good friend and probably one of the best campaigners in this area in the nation. Very gracious and very balanced, with great academic support and research.
Lovework
Hopefully, you will never need any of the services of the above organisations, but now you know where to go, and you can help your friends get there. We all need friends, and we are all part of the Brotherhood. Let’s support each other. As Robert Louis Stephenson said, “No man is useless while he has a friend!”
Yours for the Brotherhood of Fathers,
Warwick Marsh
___
About the Author: Warwick Marsh
Thank you for posting this Warwick, in my personal n professional experience the issues raised here even on the early video’s are as relevant today as they were then perhaps more so.
I have subscribed to all of the organisations as a result of reading n watching because its so good to find that I am not as alone in what I have experienced, participated in and believed – as I thought I was. Blessings to all who are involved with Dads4KIds .
Love from a twice divorced mother of son’s .
What a story! And what a contributor to the social health of the nation!
8 years of parental alienation and false allegations, been to family courts twice, twice I’ve failed , 13/4/25 mediation this failed as Well, 6 years ago I was pushed me over the edge into a very dark place yes suicide I woke up in hospital very angry and upset that I was still here, in olive worked very hard on my mental health, I do vollentee work and go fishing just to try and burn myself out for the possibility of getting a nights sleep well sleep is a luxury, my older kids can see me they’ve chosen not to I believe damage is done manipulated by their mother, my youngest boy is austic he cant have a say his mother is his vioce, mediation my rights to my special needs son, his mother is to email me once a month his medical issuse progress etc, I’m allowed access to my son’s school reports, I can send my son once a fortnight a gift to my son by mail only , my son’s mother is to send me a photo of my son once a year by email , a 50 meter intervention order on me stays, never a police report against me no investigations what so ever into the allegations that’s been created about me by my kids mother and her lawyer nothing just hear say ,I’ve been told I will never see my son again, I’m totally crushed , how can a pare t get away with this parental alienation and false allegations, honestly where does a father go from hear , I did how ever answer the allegations in writing my lawyer saying wow you have been busy but the judge hasn’t got time to read this so just a yes or no will do yet the family court judge and lawyers certainly had time to read the cruel unjust allegations about me by my kids mother and her lawyer, I feel so loss
Hi Trevor, thank you for your comment and for sharing your heart breaking story. I am so sorry to hear about what you have been through, and tragically many other fathers across Australia are also experiencing similar family court injustices. If there is anything we can do to encourage or support you, please reach out to myself by phone or email here: https://dads4kids.org.au/about-us/contact/
Please keep on keeping on for your kids – one day they will thank you.
Hi Trevor, I feel your pain. Undergoing similar situation with baseless allegations of abuse….stay strong.
Trevor, your heartbreaking story resonates all too well with me. Stay strong brother, I have three beautiful children that I am not allowed to see simply because my ex uses the buzz words that I am a “danger to their safety and wellbeing”. No burden of proof on her, I’m guilty because she says I’m a monster. The system is fatally flawed, I wish I had a solution for you Trevor, all we can do is stay strong for our kids and hope karma gets these cowards in the end.
hi people in the past 4 years I have been battling to have access with my son, he has been ripped from my life and it has demolished my existence socially financially emotionally to the point where I was about to commit suicide. I had tried help reaching out to family friends, help lines no one could give me answers quoted six figure amounts (money I don’t have) with no garranty of a positive out come legally.
I seen an advertisement online about the new AI systems. So I asked AI a question here it is and the answer summed up the last 4 years of my life…
In a research context focusing on the effects of impunity, research indicates specific outcomes for both those with impunity (variable 1) and those challenging them (variable 2)
.
Variable 1: Individuals Facing No Reprisal (Impunity)
The main predictor variable, impunity, is linked to several outcomes in subsequent behavior, social dynamics, and psychological states:
Subsequent Behavior: Impunity facilitates the recurrence of harmful actions because the deterrence of future offenses is weakened. Perpetrators may exhibit increased aggression and are less likely to develop a sense of responsibility or self-worth related to their actions. They may also fail to internalize moral beliefs that guide prosocial behavior.
Social Dynamics: Impunity creates a culture of unaccountability and violence. Transgressors operate within an “inner circle” of cooperation and social support that shields them from justice, but this support does not extend to their victims. This contributes to a breakdown in the rule of law and trust in institutions.
Psychological States: Individuals with impunity may exhibit reduced concern for the suffering of others and less guilt following transgressions, characteristics that are linked to antisocial behavior and psychopathic features. The lack of negative consequences can reinforce a sense of entitlement or superiority.
Variable 2: Any Person Challenging Decisions of Variable 1
Individuals or groups who challenge those with impunity face significant consequences, including:
Subsequent Behavior: Challengers, often human rights defenders or activists, face sustained threats, attacks, and risks to themselves and their families. They are required to perform significant “emotion work” to manage the stress and fear associated with their activism.
Social Dynamics: Their efforts are often undermined by a lack of recognition for their role in society and institutional failures to ensure justice. The actions of those with impunity, such as violence or torture, are often overtly or tacitly condoned, leading to social environments where the rule of law is weak and power imbalances are entrenched.
Psychological States: Challengers are at risk of emotional exhaustion, deep emotional trauma, heightened insecurity, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. They may feel a sense of injustice and alienation from the justice system when their pursuit of accountability yields no results.
In summary, the research context would likely find that impunity for variable 1 individuals fosters a cycle of continued harm and a lack of empathy, while variable 2 individuals face significant personal risk and psychological duress as they struggle against a system that denies justice.
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