- Published:
- Tuesday 2 May 2017
The Andrews Labor Government is working to put a stop to family violence, establishing a new prevention agency and rolling out the state’s first gender equality strategy and primary prevention strategy.
Included as part of the Victorian Budget 2017/18, $50.7 million will be dedicated to preventing family violence before it occurs. This work will be guided by Free from Violence, Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women and create a safer Victoria.
The Budget includes $38.7 million for primary prevention initiatives reaching the whole community including behavioural change campaigns, testing new approaches in workplaces, and building on what we know works by continuing community prevention partnerships.
A further $12 million will establish a new prevention agency, which will guide the implementation of Free from Violence and monitor the state’s efforts to prevent family violence.
Our approach to preventing family violence will be similar to other world-leading Victorian prevention initiatives, such as the anti-smoking campaign led by VicHealth and the Transport Accident Commission’s work to make our roads safer.
The Labor Government will also invest an extra $5.9 million to support the implementation of Safe and Strong – Victoria’s first gender equality strategy, launched in December last year.
The investment, which builds on $9 million in funding for gender equality in last year’s Budget, includes support for a new social entrepreneurs program that aims to help women address gender inequality in their own communities and focuses on improving the financial security of women.
As part of the funding, existing women’s leadership programs, including the Women on Boards Leadership Program, the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and the Joan Kirner Young and Emerging Women Leaders Program will be expanded.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We made a commitment to put an end to family violence. We’re making every reform and investing every resource to do just that.”
“We’re continuing our unprecedented investment to save lives, and keep women and children safe.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Fiona Richardson
“We don't just want to reduce family violence – we want to stop it before it starts. That requires dedicated, long-term action.”
“Our approach to prevention is grounded in the knowledge that family violence is a deeply gendered issue. That’s why we’re also actioning Victoria’s gender equality strategy, Safe and Strong.”