Philosophy

• SAMSSA is opposed to all forms of sexual violence and domination.
• SAMSSA is a male-positive, gay-affirming and pro-feminist service.
• SAMSSA supports healthy, non-violent, life-affirming and creative ways of being men.
• SAMSSA recognises and welcomes the challenges and opportunities of diversity in the Australian community

Violence and force

SAMSSA rejects the notion that the use of force, violence, coercion or domination by those in positions of power, privilege and authority over others is in any way legitimate.

Access and Equity

SAMSSA affirms the right of male survivors of sexual assault and/or child sexual abuse to services that are safe, accessible and appropriate, free from discrimination on any grounds.

Rights and Responsibilities

SAMSSA supports the right of men to make healthy and informed choices about their beliefs and their lifestyle that do not negate the rights, choices and safety of others, and freedom to direct and control the process of healing and recovery from sexual assault and/or child sexual abuse.

Pro-feminism

SAMSSA acknowledges the gains and challenges of feminism and women’s movements that have made possible the communication, discussion and awareness of the sexual assault perpetrated against men and boys. SAMSSA is unequivocally pro-feminist, and seeks to remain accountable to, and respectful of, women, women’s services and feminism (feminist theories and practices).

Diversity in our community

SAMSSA recognises the diversity of the Australian community and welcomes the challenges and opportunities such diversity presents.

SAMSSA acknowledges the Aboriginal people as the indigenous owners and carers of the land in Australia and in the area of Canberra. SAMSSA recognises that the occupation of Australia by Europeans and subsequent policies and practices by governments and settlers, such as acts of dispossession and policies of assimilation, have been fundamentally racist, and are responsible for the damage of Aboriginal lives and culture. SAMSSA seeks to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been affected by such policies and practices, and in particular to assist indigenous men in their recovery from sexual assault and sexual abuse suffered through the implementation of such policies.

SAMSSA is committed to reconciliation between indigenous Australians and the wider community, and supports the principle of Aboriginal self-determination. All people in Australia who benefit from the dispossession of indigenous peoples from their land have a responsibility to address the social, economic and spiritual legacy of that dispossession, and to participate in the process of reconciliation.

SAMSSA recognises that Australian society has always been culturally diverse in the past, and remains so in the present. Cultural diversity enriches and strengthens the community; discrimination, intolerance and acts of violence based in racism undermine and weaken the community. SAMSSA recognises that providing an accessible and equitable service to a culturally diverse community is both challenging and rewarding, and affirms the right of men from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds to services of high quality that meet their support needs in recovering from sexual assault and sexual abuse.

SAMSSA recognises the needs of men who are refugees from poverty, war, and political, social or cultural oppression who seek assistance in healing sexual abuse, sexual assault, torture and trauma.

SAMSSA recognises and affirms the diversity of sexuality and gender identities in the community. SAMSSA affirms that any discrimination on the basis of gender, sex, or sexual-orientation is unacceptable in a tolerant and diverse community. SAMSSA acknowledges the distinct and differing needs of gay, bisexual, transgender and non-heterosexually identifying men.

SAMSSA challenges homophobic and heterosexist beliefs and behaviours in our community. SAMSSA is opposed to violence and abuse, including sexual assault, against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in our community, and any violence and abuse based on homphobia. SAMSSA recognises that gay men are the targets of homophobic violence and abuse, and that all men are at risk of homophobic violence, including sexual assault. Homophobia and heterosexism undermine the safety and well-being of all men.

The nature of sexual assault

Sexual assault is a form of violence perpetrated largely by men, against other men, women and children. Sexual assault is the use of power in a manner that is sexually exploitative, demeaning, invasive and disempowering, and includes any sexual activity (whether there is physical contact or not) where force, coercion, threats or violence are used by one person or group of people over another person or group of people. Sexual assault is one of many forms of violence and the abuse of power.

Sexual assault and child sexual abuse occur in situations where power is held by one person (or group of people) over another person (or group of people). That power imbalance is then used to coerce and force participation in or overcome resistance to sexual activity, and subsequently used to coerce or force silence and inaction by the victim of the sexual assault.

Sexual assault against men is a form of gender-based violence and is best understood through an analysis of the social, cultural, political and legal structures that condone and tolerate violence and the abuse of power as legitimate means for men to exert control over other men, women and children. Social and cultural beliefs that support these structures include:

• Patriarchy
  A social construction where men are allocated roles in positions of power, authority and responsibility over women, children and other men on the basis of sex and gender, that is being a man is basis for such entitlement.
• Racism
  Beliefs which support discrimination and abuse against people on the basis of ethnicity, language, culture and appearance.
• Heterosexism
  Belief in the dominance of heterosexuality over other forms of sexual identity and behaviour, and the social, legal and political discrimination in favour of heterosexual people to the exclusion of others.
• Homophobia
  The fear of homosexuality, the fear of being perceived as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender by others, and the open discrimination against and isolation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
• Class systems
  Social and legal structures found in most cultures, that award power and privilege on the basis of birth and social position, rather than on merit or through democratic process, and support the socio-political exclusion of significant minorities within a community, and/or support the socio-political dominance of an elite within a community.
• Political and legal disenfranchise
  The political and legal structures that deny people freedom of political expression, and/or deny people the opportunity to participate in the political, legal and governing institutions of their community on any basis.