Acknowledgement Of Country

We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection to country – to the land, air, waterways, oceans, animals and plants – and recognise the wisdom and culture that has seen them thrive for thousands of years. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded, and, with humility and courage, wholeheartedly commit heads, hearts and hands to a path of healing, restitution and justice, embracing the wisdom of those who can guide us. We will fulfil our responsibility with honesty and integrity, we will challenge injustice, and - in all of this - we will hold ourselves accountable.

Gendered Violence Prevention

Violence against women is driven by gender inequality and has a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of people in our society.

Violence against women and intersecting forms of oppression, discrimination, power and privilege have significant impacts on the health and wellbeing of women and children, families and communities.

In Australia, violence against women can be many different things, including domestic violence, family violence, intimate partner violence, coercive control, online abuse, stalking, workplace sexual harassment, street harassment and sexual assault.

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West is committed to ending violence against women across our region. We work to address harmful gendered structures, norms and practices across all levels of society, with a vision to create a gender equitable society in which all people are free from gendered violence. 

On average, one woman is murdered every 9 days by a current or former partner

2 in 5 Australian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. 1 in 4 Australian women has experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner. 1 in 5 Australian women has experienced sexual violence.

 

Current evidence from the national organisation, Our Watch, details four main drivers of violence against women as outlined in their Change the Story Framework: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence.

They are:

  • Condoning of violence against women
  • Men’s control of decision-making and limits to women’s independence in public and private life
  • Rigid gender roles and stereotyped constructions of masculinity and femininity
  • Male peer relations that emphasise aggression and disrespect towards women
  • As a primary prevention organisation, our work aims to address these drivers in order to prevent violence against women.

More information on the Change the story framework can be found on the Our Watch website

Primary prevention approach

A primary prevention approach works to change the underlying social conditions that produce and drive violence against women, and that excuse, justify or even promote it. It works across the whole population to address the attitudes, norms, practices, structures and power imbalances that drive violence against women (Change the Story 2021).

WHWBSW utilise the primary prevention approach by working alongside organsiations from across the region to address the underlying causes of violence against women.

Respect 2040 Partnership

Respect 2040 is the multi-agency regional partnership that is driving transformative change toward a vision for a flourishing Barwon Southwest where women, girls and gender diverse people are safe, respected, and are equally able to reach their full potential. Respect 2040 aims to build the capacity and capability of partners and allies to deliver evidence-informed primary prevention actions across the region. Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West (WHWBSW) is the lead agency for the Respect 2040 partnership.

Find out more about Respect 2040

View our current gendered violence prevention training offerings

View training