By Mandy Oakham
The campaign to prevent violence against women in the Geelong region has received a $120,000 boost.
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West (WHWBSW) will use the funds from a new government grant to support projects aimed at preventing violence against women.
These projects will involve councils, schools, sporting clubs, as well as community groups and workplaces.
WHWBSW chief executive officer Emily Lee-Ack said the grant would be used to develop new activities, programs and partnerships to prevent violence against women and children.
“This funding is very important for our region. Domestic violence is a whole-of-community problem which can only be prevented with a whole-of-community approach,” Ms Lee-Ack said.
“This funding will boost collective action across the Geelong region aimed at improving gender equality and respect for women – which is at the core of preventing violence against women.
“With one woman, on average, dying at the hands of her former or current partner in Australia in each week, we know that domestic violence is a national emergency,“ she said.
Victoria Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson, said that communities working together had the greatest impact on reducing family violence and violence against women.
“That’s why we’re investing in these partnerships,” she said. “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.”
