Survivors & Mates Support Network was founded in 2010 by a small group of male survivors, who were searching for a support group to meet other male survivors and deal with the effects of child sexual abuse on their lives. Working alongside professional counsellors with experience in working with male survivors, they commenced an eight-week group program for men. This professionally-facilitated pee
r support group program provided a much-needed safe space for men; it was (and is still) in great demand. These groups have provided a place for men to come together to meet other male survivors and find support, understanding and learning about child sexual abuse, its far-reaching impacts, and very importantly what helps in recovery and healing. Since 2011 SAMSN has run over 60 groups across Sydney, some regional NSW centres, in Adelaide and Canberra. SAMSN’s growing understanding of these impacts for men, the needs of male survivors, and what helps recovery has led to SAMSN establishing ongoing, professionally facilitated monthly meetings in a number of locations so that men have a safe environment to continue to have peer support in their recovery journey. SAMSN has also recognised that the trauma effects of abuse can make negotiating life’s challenges even more difficult. In 2014 SAMSN was able to employ professional staff to provide individual planned support to men and their supporters. This support includes working alongside survivors negotiating the criminal justice system or seeking redress or compensation, accessing Centrelink or housing services, or finding a suitable counsellor. The value of peer support has also been incorporated into our work with peer support workers available to walk alongside survivors as well as our planned support team. We are proud to see the network continues to grow. In 2019 we were able to begin outreach out to male survivors in more regional areas of NSW and beyond, and particularly our Aboriginal and Torres Strait male survivors to expand our work with the families and friends of survivors. SAMSN SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE POLICY
PURPOSE
This policy sets out the terms of use for effective and safe mediation of social media usage by SAMSN. SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media describes the online and mobile tools people use to share knowledge, information, opinions, experiences and various forms of media. The term also includes any online media allowing for user participation, interaction or publishing. Social media is often shared across a diverse range of ‘platforms’, including websites, video-sharing sites, public forums, message boards, social networking sites, and sites designed to promote information and advice through the use of ‘posts’. SAMSN uses social media to stay in touch with our followers and inform the public of who we are. Our social media includes Facebook, YouTube and our official website (these are outlined below).
- Website
- Facebook
- YouTube
SAMSN also uses online networking sites such as Skype and ZOOM to connect with clients living in regional and remote areas, or who are overseas. Service provision over these forms of media are identical to those provided by SAMSN over the phone. All content on our pages is subject to individual terms of use as outlined by each social media provider. By interacting with SAMSN’s online social media platform, you agree to the terms and conditions of use of the relevant social media provider. QUERIES AND ADVICE
Social media is an excellent place to obtain information and keep up to date with SAMSN news and achievements. However, if you have a direct or personal inquiry, SAMSN prefers to speak with you by phone, email or contact support form as these are more closely monitored and answered frequently. Please see the relevant contact information below.
- Phone: 02 8355 3711 / 1800 472 676
- Email: [email protected]
Queries can also be directed through Facebook Messenger and will be replied to when possible. GUIDELINES FOR SAFELY USING SOCIAL MEDIA
We ask that you do the following when engaging with SAMSN on social media:
- Be respectful when making posts or comments
- Post only general information without any allusion to confidential information about yourself or anybody else
- Make posts relevant to SAMSN services
- Take time to ensure that anything you post is factually correct and accurate
- When sharing your knowledge, or any tips and advice, ensure that you provide the relevant resources while doing so
- If sharing photos on social media, check that you have permission to post from those in the photo
We ask that you refrain from the following:
- Using SAMSN logo and brand as your own
- Publishing, posting, distributing any defamatory posts, remarks or comments about others
- Posting potentially harmful information, such as specific details regarding medication, references to self-harm, sexual abuse or violence
- Engaging in arguments
- Impersonating any other person
- Uploading files or attachments known to contain viruses, corrupted files or anything
that may damage the operation of another’s computer or compromise SAMSN’s website
- Spamming SAMSN’s social media accounts with identical or nonsensical messages
- Using triggering language
If you have feedback or a complaint about SAMSN’s use of social media, please contact us as per our contact details above. SAMSN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBLITIES
- SAMSN reserves the right to delete any posts, comments or replies deemed offensive, inappropriate, derogatory or defamatory, as well as explicit content or attachments
- SAMSN reserves the right to delete any posts that are racist, sexist, homophobic, judgmental or biased towards others
- SAMSN staff can remove any posts that are unrelated to SAMSN’s services, inappropriate for discussion, spam, advertising, promoting other products or for commercial gain
- In the event of harassment of other clients or repetitive negative or threatening behavior, access to SAMSN social media profiles can be terminated and the person can be prevented from accessing SAMSN mediums or engaging with other clients
- SAMSN will contact you in the event of a post, reply or comment suggesting harm, self-harm or abuse. Please refer to the following link regarding terms of use for social media, including information collected, privacy considerations, and risks: https://www.facebook.com/policies_center/
Overall, SAMSN aims to make its social media a network of kind, generous and helpful individuals.
