Break the Cycle

Break the Cycle supports boys and young men, aged 12 to 18, to develop healthy, safe, respectful relationships and heal from the trauma caused by domestic and family violence.

If you have experienced domestic and family violence, or you are using violence in your own relationship, our Break the Cycle team can help you develop the emotional and social skills needed to make meaningful changes in your life.

Working with you on your own terms, at your own pace, without judgement, we empower you to:

• heal from trauma
• understand the impacts of violence
• understand your actions and their impacts
• learn how to build healthy relationships
• increase your sense of stability in essential life areas such as housing, education and safety.

We support cisgender, trans and non-binary people who identify as masculine.

After you contact or are referred to Break the Cycle, a member of our team will get in touch to have an initial conversation with you and your parent or caregiver (if possible).

Together with your Break the Cycle worker, you will identify what is important to you and what goals you want to work towards.

Over the next 12 months, you will meet regularly with your support worker to set and achieve goals, plan next steps and work through challenges. This can happen at your home, at a YFS office, or somewhere else you feel comfortable.

Where possible, a safe parent or caregiver will be closely involved throughout the process.

Break the Cycle accepts referrals from parents and carers, community‑based professionals and services, government departments, community organisations, and other YFS programs.

All referrals and enquiries are received by Break the Cycle’s Young Men’s Specialist, who responds to requests for support and helps determine the most appropriate pathway.

Break the Cycle is a voluntary service, and a young person’s informed consent is required before a referral can be accepted or support can begin.

To make a referral, phone YFS on 07 3826 1500 and ask to speak to the Break the Cycle team, email [email protected] or fill out the contact form.

Break the Cycle is delivered in partnership with the Domestic Violence Action Centre (DVAC) in Ipswich and YFS in Logan.

For Ipswich‑based referrals, contact DVAC at [email protected].