A powerful new not-for-profit initiative, May8, has officially launched today — May 8th — with a clear mission: to equip men across Australia with the tools and encouragement they need to take the first step in preventing domestic violence.
Born from a troubling reality — every ten days in Australia, a woman is killed by a current or former partner — May8 steps in to challenge the silence and inspire action.
The Problem: A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Domestic and family violence remains one of the most urgent social crises in Australia. And while awareness is rising, action often lags behind. Despite 84% of Australian men acknowledging violence against women as a major issue, 40% don’t believe it’s their responsibility to solve.
That’s where May8 comes in.
“The evidence is clear—men don’t know where to start,” says the May8 team. “And that’s what May8 is all about. Creating an opportunity to put the guard down and begin learning about this issue and how they can help without feeling threatened. May8 is about making it easy for men to take that first step.”
The Solution: Eight Simple Actions
Developed in collaboration with a team of domestic violence prevention experts, May8 has developed a list of eight practical, everyday actions men can take to help create change, starting with a conversation.
Here’s the list:
- Have a conversation with a mate. Find ways to bring up Family and Domestic Violence using conversation starters. See May8.org for conversation starters
- Share your participation in May8 on your social network and tag us in. Every post can encourage other men to do the same.
- Let a woman in your life know you are actively supporting the cause. Sometimes just saying aloud that you are not just a bystander is worth her knowing.
- Make a cash donation to organisations that need your help.
- Read educational resources like Jess Hill’s essay “Losing it” or research from the Invisible Man project.
- Donate an old mobile phone. Women fleeing domestic situations often have their phones tracked by perpetrators. DVSafePhone repurposes old phones for women in need.
- Watch the video from “The Line” and share it with a younger male you know.
- Donate a gift card to a Women’s Shelter. Many women need gift cards to buy essentials when a perpetrator controls their bank account
A New Kind of Call to Action
Rather than focusing on blame or shame, May8 is designed to be approachable and practical — encouraging men to take small, meaningful steps that contribute to a bigger cultural shift.
Visit May8.org for resources, links, videos, and ideas on how to start the conversation.
The movement is already gaining momentum, thanks to early champions like Wade Kingsley, Paul Chappell, and Ben Lucas, who have stepped up to lead by example.
Because sometimes, all it takes to spark change is one small conversation.
