Why The Project Was Start
The Woodley Rose Project was born from lived experience of family violence and the difficulty of finding services that recognise, believe and practically support male victim-survivors and their children.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows approximately 1.5 million Australian men—have experienced violence or abuse by a cohabiting partner since the age of 15. Our 2026 community survey of 5,790 voluntary participants also identified major barriers, including a lack of appropriate services for men, fear of disbelief or judgement, retaliation and concerns involving children.
The project was created to help close this gap by developing practical, family-centred and lived-experience-informed support that helps men and their children move toward safety, stability and hope.
“Woodley” honours a compassionate mentor who helped shape the project’s values, while “Rose” honours the child whose safety inspired the decision to leave violence and begin again.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Partner Violence, 2021–22.
Core Beliefs
Every man who reaches out to The Woodley Rose Project will be heard without judgement, treated with dignity and compassion, and have his experiences taken seriously. We recognise that asking for help takes courage, and no victim-survivor should need to prove that they deserve support.
Heard, believed and respected
Safety first
The physical, emotional and cultural safety of men and their children is at the centre of every decision we make. We respond thoughtfully to risk and work alongside each family to develop a pathway toward lasting safety.
Dignity and inclusion
We welcome men and their children regardless of background, culture, sexuality, disability, faith or financial circumstances. Every person deserves equitable access to respectful and culturally safe support.
Connection and collaboration
We believe no person or organisation can address family violence alone. We build trusted partnerships and connect families with the legal, housing, health, financial and community services needed for long-term safety and recovery.
Empowerment and new beginnings
We work with men and their children rather than making decisions for them. We support informed choices, recognise individual strengths and help each family rebuild stability, independence and hope at its own pace.
We need Your Help
To turn this Project into a safe, sustainable service for men and their children affected by family violence, we need the support of individuals, businesses, community organisations and funding partners.
We are seeking:
- Dedicated volunteers
- Volunteer board members with diverse skills and experience
- Community and service partnerships
- Business and corporate sponsorships
- Grants, donations and other funding opportunities
- Donations of essential items and professional services
Whether you contribute your time, expertise, resources or financial support, you can help build a service where men and their children are heard, believed and supported.
Together, we can help families move beyond violence toward safety, stability and hope.