No To Violence (NTV) is a result of the integration of two philosophically similar but operationally different organisations - the Victorian Network for the Prevention of Male Family Violence [V-NET] Inc. and the Men's Referral Service Inc. (MRS). These organisations connected to form No To Violence as they shared a common history of providing services and undertaking activities aimed at addressing and preventing male family violence within Victoria.

The precursor of V-NET first began meeting in 1988 as an informal network of professionals who were pioneering group behaviour change programs for men using violence towards their family members. Over the past two decades this network had evolved into a statewide peak organisation for individuals and agencies working in the field of male family violence.

V-NET was formalised as an incorporated association in November 1994, and was managed by an elected community based management body. In August 1995 V-NET developed a comprehensive standards manual for the running of men’s behaviour change groups. These standards were revised in 2006 by No To Violence, and are endorsed by the Victorian Department of Human Services. All male behaviour change programs funded by the Department of Human Services are required to meet them.

NTV now plays a significant role within Victoria as a provider of professional development and training. In 1998 a Graduate Certificate in Social Science (Male Family Violence) was developed by NTV in conjunction with Swinburne University of Technology and became the first of its kind in Australia to be accredited. Also in conjunction with Swinburne University of Technology, NTV has developed a further stream of this qualification for men’s behaviour change group facilitators and program managers, and is also developing a specific program for Indigenous facilitators.

NTV is also a publisher of educational and informational resources, including a monthly newsletter NTV Notes and the only journal in Australia focusing specifically on male family violence, NTV Journal. In April 1999 NTV launched the revised Second Edition of the publication Mirrors, Windows and Doors: A Self-Help Book for Men About Violence and Abuse in the Home.

In recent years No To Violence has strengthened its relationship with women’s agencies in the family violence sector, participating in joint media and public advocacy strategies, and in conducting training on family violence issues. The introduction of the revised standards for running men’s behaviour change programs has been a major impetus towards furthering our role in supporting the male family violence service sector.