Councils across Victoria will share in almost $3 million to engage communities and local businesses on the role they can play in preventing violence against women.
Local councils will deliver a range of initiatives as part of the Allan Labor Government’s Free from Violence Local Government Program 2024-27.
This follows the devesting loss of prominate member of the local Philippino community, Logee Osias, in an alleged domestic assult last year.
Councils, including Greater Shepparton, Knox, Mornington Peninsula and Wodonga, will deliver programs and activities that will help people in the community understand the role they can play to make their community safer. As large employers with unique connections to their local communities, local councils are in a perfect position to help us all prevent family violence and violence against women.
The councils will identify opportunities through council programs and services, such as community sport, early childhood services and parenting groups, to address the attitudes and behaviours that drive family violence and violence against women.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Vicki Ward, says, “We’re significantly investing in our local communities to engage in important family violence prevention programs.
“Every Victorian has the right to be treated with respect at home, work or in their community.”
In the second round of the program, 15 councils have been support in carrying out primary prevention initiatives in their local area.
Previously, the Wangaratta Rural City Council received a grant to deliver workshops to more than 200 council employees, with a focus on male-dominated work groups such as depot workers and field services teams to look at how to prevent violence against women.
Municipal Association of Victoria President, David Clark, says, “The Free from Violence Local Government Program is a great example of the Allan Labor Government supporting our sector’s ability to lead initiatives and improve outcomes in our communities.”
Delivered in partnership with Jesuit Social Services, these workshops aimed to break down harmful gender stereotypes and actively promote healthy masculinity.
These grants are part of the Labor Government’s nation-leading work to prevent family violence.
