Until now, most of the focus and funding for family violence in Victoria has been on the response.
Response is obviously critical, but as we all know, family violence will not stop without more resources dedicated to stopping it ‘before’ it starts.
Makes sense right?
Today we joined many stakeholders to attend the launch of the crucial new organisation ‘Respect Victoria.’
It was born out of recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence which listened to the pain of so many victim/survivors, so folks this is progress.
Respect Victoria – aims to prevent family violence in Victoria
- LEADING RESEARCH INTO WHAT WORKS TO PREVENT IT BEFORE IT STARTS.
- ADVISE GOVERNMENT AND ORGANISATIONS.
- ENGAGE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO CHANGE THE CULTURE THAT ALLOWS FAMILY. VIOLENCE TO HAPPEN IN THE FRST PLACE – COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS.
- ACTIVITIES, BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE, POSITIVE BYSTANDER CAMPAIGNS..
Victoria’s Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins, a champion for gender equality, says the organisation is for everybody – it will work to prevent family violence against women, men, LGBTI people, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, older people, children and young people.
How will it work?
- STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE FAMILY VIOLENCE, PRIMARY PREVENTION AND GENDER EQUALITY SECTORS TO BUILD EVIDENCE FOR WHAT WORKS TO PREVENT FAMILY VIOLENCE. DRIVING COMMUNICATION WITH ALL VICTORIANS ON PRIMARY PREVENTION.
- PROVIDE ADVICE ON POLICY AND PROGRAM REFORM TO IMPROVE THE WAY GOVERNMENT, ORGANISATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY WORK TO PREVENT FAMILY VIOLENCE.
- ENGAGE NEW PARTNERS IN EDUCATION AND CARE SETTINGS, THE MEDIA AND POPULAR CULTURE.
- WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR WATCH, VicHEALTH, FAMILY SAFETY VIC AND AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION FOR WOMEN’S SAFETY.
A Bill to establish RV as a statutory authority, with functions and powers and duties protected by law, is currently before Parliament.
It needs to pass, we cannot keep focussing solely on crisis response.
Respect Victoria will be led by two engaging women.
CEO – TRACEY GAUDRY.
She has more than 20 years experience in leadership roles across community, sport, government, education and professional services.
She was most recently CEO of the Hawthorn Football Club, the first women to serve in the role.
We spoke with Tracey here:
Congrats also to the Chair, Melanie Eagle.
Melanie also brings decades of social policy, legal, social work, and executive leadership experience.
Keen to know more?
Head across to Respect Victoria’s website here.
If you or someone you know
is impacted by sexual assault
or family violence, call 1800RESPECTon 1800 737 732
or visitwww.1800RESPECT.org.au
In an emergency, call 000.