The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to work toward a Victoria free from family violence, with a significant boost in funding for community groups and organisations across the state.

Minister for the Prevention of Violence Fiona Richardson today announced a further $1.2 million for the Community Partnerships for Primary Prevention Program.

A total of $3.85 million worth of grants now support a number of new or existing partnerships between businesses, schools, workplaces and community settings to help drive local community action to prevent family violence and other forms of violence against women.

Eastern Domestic Violence Service (EDVOS), Women’s Health East (WHE) and Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service were three of 34 organisations and partnerships across the state to receive up to $150,000 of funding to work with women at a local level to prevent family violence and other forms of violence against women.

EDVOS will promote gender equality through the implementation of their HAIR project, an initiative which recognises women’s trusting bonds with their hairdressers. EDVOS will educate hairdressers to understand the link between gender inequality and family violence. It will support the hairdressing workforce to engage in conversations with their clients that challenge community attitudes that reinforce gender inequality.

WHE through the Together for Equality & Respect Partnership will build on its current work and partnerships to strengthen primary prevention in the Eastern Metropolitan Region. The program will bring together new and current partners to co-design the TFER Action Plan 2017-2021. This new action plan will include a focus on intersectionality, by engaging culturally and linguistically diverse groups through tailored approaches to primary prevention. The program will also capitalise on the opportunities to add value to the resilience, rights and respectful relationships program within schools.

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service will utilise funding from the Community Partnerships for Primary Prevention program to expand their “Liwurruk’s (Girls) in the hood” program. Through the program up to 20 young aboriginal women will be supported to become advocates within their local communities for prevention of violence and respectful relationships.

This grants program supports the ongoing investment and effort in Victoria to help end family violence and supports the key actions arising from Free from Violence: Victoria’s Prevention Strategy, an integral element of the government’s broader family violence system reforms.

A full list of successful applicants can be found here http://www.vic.gov.au/women/family-violence-prevention/community-partnerships-for-primary-prevention-grants.html

 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson

“We know communities working together have the greatest impact on reducing family violence and violence against women and that is why we are investing in these partnerships.”

“Community organisations, businesses and sporting and social groups all play a crucial role in challenging the attitudes that lead to family violence. These projects will ensure prevention work reaches people at a local level”.

“Prevention will only be effective when the whole community is involved in changing attitudes and challenging the behaviours that can lead to family and gender-based violence.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane 

“Helping to stop family violence before it starts is critical work that we all must be a part of.”

“The advocacy and education that will be strengthened from these partnerships is fundamental in our work to create a safe and equal community, for all Victorians”.