Your safety comes first
Use a safe device if someone may be monitoring you
Do not contact Atlas from an email account or device that a controlling person can access. Do not put yourself at greater risk to obtain evidence. If contacting Atlas or an organisation could expose you to danger, use the support directory and seek safety-planning advice first.
Evidence submissions
Every submission receives an initial assessment
Atlas aims to acknowledge submissions within seven calendar days. Every submission receives an initial assessment. Where a matter falls within Atlas’s mandate and contains enough information to examine, Atlas may open an investigation into the relevant policy, practice, decision or conduct or explain what further evidence is needed. The first objective is clear disclosure of any unequal treatment affecting men. The second is reform of the underlying practice so men and women are treated by the same standards.
What to include
- The name of the organisation involved.
- A concise description of what happened.
- The date or relevant period.
- The policy, statement, decision, communication or transcript concerned.
- Any evidence showing how men and women may have been treated differently.
- Whether Atlas may contact you for further information.
Send copies rather than original documents. Remove passwords, financial account details and personal information that is not necessary to understand the matter.
What happens next
- Acknowledgement. Atlas confirms that the submission has been received.
- Initial review. Atlas checks whether the matter falls within its mandate and whether enough information has been supplied to examine it.
- Evidence request. If material information is missing, Atlas explains what further evidence would assist.
- Investigation. Atlas checks the supplied evidence and relevant public material, separating verified facts, analysis and unresolved questions.
- Organisational response. Where appropriate and authorised, Atlas puts the issue to the organisation and invites evidence, correction and a substantive response.
- Advocacy decision. Atlas decides whether the matter warrants a controlled public case file or another appropriate transparency or reform pathway.
Atlas reviews submissions for evidence of unequal treatment, opportunities for institutional accountability and a clear route to reform. We will explain whether a matter fits that remit and what further information is needed.
Privacy and publication
Atlas will not publish a person’s name or identifying information, or provide identifying material to the organisation concerned, without express permission unless required by law. Information may still need to be verified before Atlas can rely on it, approach an organisation or publish a finding.
If anonymity is important, say so clearly in the first email and do not include unnecessary identifying material.
Scope of the service
Atlas is an advocacy and institutional-accountability organisation. It is not an emergency service, law firm, counselling service or substitute for professional medical, psychological or legal advice.
If you need counselling, crisis, domestic-violence, separation, legal, financial, housing, health or peer support, use the Atlas support directory for men. If you or another person is in immediate danger in Australia, call 000.
Corrections, organisations and media
Organisations may provide evidence, correct the public record or respond to an Atlas case at any stage. Researchers, journalists and other interested parties may use the same address.